Córdoba: History

Pre-20th-Century History

One of the first Spanish colonial cities in Argentina, Córdoba was founded by the Governor of Tucumán, Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera, on July 6, 1573. He named the new settlement Córdoba de la Nueva Andalucía in honor of his wife's home town in Spain. Cabrera had been instructed by the Viceroy of Peru to colonize the area now known as Santiago del Estero, but chose to push further south instead. Years later, he would be punished for this disobedience, being brought back to the city and executed.

Córdoba was originally founded on the left bank of the Suquía River but was soon relocated to the right bank, which was less vulnerable to floods. The area's indigenous inhabitants were a formidable people, whose war-cry of comenchingón inspired the Spanish settlers to christen them the 'comenchingones'. Much taller than most South American Indians, and adept at archery, the comenchingones lived in semi-subterranean grottos. They were prolific cave artists, and their work can still be seen today. Though conquered by the settlers, they never really submitted to the Spanish 'civilisation' process. However, like much of the continent's indigenous population, influenza and other introduced European lurgies got to them in the end.

In 1613, the Jesuit Order founded the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, the oldest university in Argentina. The Jesuits' legacy also extended to the city's architecture, particularly the celebrated Manzana Jesuítica (Jesuit Block) in the city center, boasting a high concentration of gorgeous colonial buildings (religious and otherwise) from the era. On the orders of King Charles III of Spain, the Jesuits were expelled from Córdoba in 1767 in favor of a Franciscan order.

After the nationwide Revolución de Mayo on May 25, 1810, Córdoba endured decades of political instability and regional in-fighting, but things began to calm down after the national constitution was sanctioned in 1853. As local industry flourished and the British-built railways spreading across the region arrived in Córdoba, immigrants from Europe and the Middle East began flooding in, attracted by the prospect of finding work. It was a prosperous time for the town, with banks and theaters opening, public facilities improving - even an observatory being established.

Modern History

Córdoba's population boom continued into the first half of the 20th century, in direct proportion to its rapid industrial growth. The influence of the European immigrants, in particular, can be seen in the paved streets and boulevards, beautiful plazas, gardens and bridges that sprung up around this time.

In 1918, the students of the University staged a strike in protest against the academic authorities, demanding modernization of the curriculum and improved student rights. The Reforma Universitaria became a nationwide movement, sweeping across the continent and even impacting on universities in Europe and the United States.

Post-WWII, Córdoba became one of Argentina's main centers for aviation and automobile manufacturing. After the 1955 coup that removed Juan Perón from power, Córdoba suffered the same political instability as the rest of the country. Throughout the 1960s, assorted Peronist, anarchist and socialist groups fought against the military governments that came and went, and increasing numbers of students and workers became involved in the unrest. Finally, in May 1969, things came to a head with El Cordobazo, a revolt that was mirrored by similar uprisings across the country and which, ultimately contributed to the downfall of the federal government.

Recent History

These days, Córdoba is considered to be the technological center of Argentina. Not only is it home to international software and electronic companies, the national spaceport, Centro Espacial Teófilo Tabanera, is also located here.

Córdoba has yet to hit it big with foreign tourists, but there's certainly a growing spectacle-hungry bunch with Andean peaks and Patagonian glaciers on the mind. With a total of seven universities, Argentina's best-preserved colonial architecture - the breathtaking 17th-century Manzana Jesuítica (Jesuit Block) was made a Unesco World Heritage site in 2000 - and its 2006 crown as Cultural Capital of the Americas, Córdoba is certainly the place to be, even if the tourists don't find out.

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