Historic Córdoba Cathedral

In central Argentina, just five hours drive from Buenos Aires, Córdoba is the country's second largest city and is often used as a stopover on trips into the Andes. Most of the city's finest old buildings date back to the early colonial period of the 16th century and can be seen when exploring the historical part of the city around Plaza San Martin, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of these, one of the most important is the beautiful Cathedral of Córdoba, a splendid mix of Baroque and Neoclassical styles that can trace its roots back to the original Roman Catholic church built here in 1580. Highlights of the structure, much of which dates from the 18th century, include a delightfully ornate interior with exquisite 20th-century frescoes and murals painted by leading Argentinian artists, a unique silver altar, and an important collection of gold votive offerings (be sure to also check out its crypts, the final resting place of a number of important Argentinians).