Sarmiento Park

Due to its design, its proximity to the commercial center of the City of Córdoba and the number of activities available in its vast gardens, both locals and visitors consider Sarmiento Park as one of the most popular outings.

There we went and as we walked to our destination, we got to see its nooks, where past and present co-exist in perfect harmony. We entered through the main access, opposite Plaza España (Spain Square).

Created by French landscape artist and architect Carlos Thays, Sarmiento Park features a typical Belle Époque design in which the rosebush promenades, water fountains and artificial lake with an important bridge and Greek amphitheater stand out.

We walked along Roca Boulevard, whose central median boasts palm trees and jacarandas. It is known as Dante's Avenue due to the monument paying tribute to Dante Alighieri observed on it. Restaurants known as lomiterías and beer yards where visitors may have a meal in the open air, especially on summer nights, prevail.

Very neat gardens with large shady trees, benches and countless sculptures made in stone and marble from all times escorted us on our tour.

As we reached the pond, we made out its beautiful bridge that leads onto an island lying on its center and a series of pergolas with climbing plants and flowers. One of the outdoor attractions is the Greek theater, which can seat over 2,000 people and has very good acoustics. It is usually very popular due to the plays presented there.

The ground on which we were walking was uneven and presented steps to sort the slopes. At the bottom, we found an ice rink, sports spaces and a swimming-pool. All of them are municipal facilities. There is also a bike circuit very much used by the inhabitants of many tower buildings that surround the park.

The Zoo occupies a large venue known as Barranca de los Loros (Parrots' Cliff) and it is accessed through Rondeau Street. When the 200th anniversary of the May Revolution celebrations were held, Sarmiento Park sheltered el Faro (the lighthouse) and Paseo del Bicentenario (Bicentennial Promenade), two attractions we also visited.

Several museums and art spaces have been settled down in the park. The so-called Ciudad de las Artes (City of Arts) stands out. It houses five schools: a conservatory, applied arts, pottery, theater and Fine Arts. Its tertiary study programs train future graduates and it is considered a cultural space open to people in general.

We passed in front of Emilio Caraffa Museum, the Natural Science Museum and Manuel de Falla Cultural Center.

The park is the meeting point for people in love and families who have a place to rest, see their children play and practice aerobic walks during the weekends.

We tried to understand what the surroundings were like in the early twentieth century and the importance it has had in the life of the denizens of Córdoba in the last century. Sitting under one of its old palm trees, we just drank some mate so as to recover from our long walk.