Capilla del Monte facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Capilla del Monte
City
Capilla del Monte
Nickname(s):  Ciudad de los Ovnis ("UFO City")
Capilla del Monte Location in Argentina
Country	Argentina
Province	Córdoba
Department	Punilla
Founded	October 30, 1585
Elevation	979 m (3,212 ft)
Population  (2010 census)
• Total	11,281
Time zone	UTC−3 (ART)
CPA base	X5184
Dialing code	+54 3548

Capilla del Monte is a small city in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. It is located near the Sierras Chicas mountain range. About 11,281 people lived here in 2010.

Tourism is very important for Capilla del Monte. Many visitors come to see Cerro Uritorco. This mountain is famous for stories about UFOs and other mysterious events. The city also has the tall El Cajón Dam and a large lake.

Capilla del Monte was founded on October 30, 1585. Its name means "Chapel on the Hill" in Spanish. The area has also been used for the Rally Argentina car race.

Plaza San Martín in Capilla del Monte.

History of Capilla del Monte

Capilla del Monte has a long and interesting history. It dates back to the late 1500s.

Early Days

The land where Capilla del Monte now stands was given to Lucía González Jaimes in 1585. This date is seen as the city's founding day. Between 1695 and 1719, Captain Antonio de Ceballos built the first chapel. This chapel gave the city its name, "Chapel on the Hill."

In 1908, the chapel was rebuilt and named the Church of San Antonio de Padua. It is close to the city center today.

Growth and Development

In 1878, a German-Argentine scientist named Adolf Döring moved to Capilla del Monte. He bought a ranch and helped plan the city center. He also built a sewage system. Because of his work, he is seen as the founder of modern Capilla del Monte. Many beautiful old houses were built during this time.

In the first half of the 1900s, more people moved to the city. New businesses opened, and the population grew. The Los Alazanes Dam was built in the 1940s to provide more water for everyone.

The UFO Connection

On January 9, 1986, something strange happened on Mount Pajarillo. A large, circular mark appeared on the ground. It looked like a UFO had landed there. This event is called the Huella del Pajarillo incident.

Even though some believe it was a trick, this event changed Capilla del Monte forever. People interested in UFOs, magic, and mysteries started visiting. Shops began selling UFO and alien souvenirs, energy stones, and dreamcatchers. Since 2012, the city has held an Alien Festival almost every February. People dress up as aliens or characters from movies like Star Wars and Star Trek.

Fun Places to Visit

Capilla del Monte has many places that attract visitors.

Cerro Uritorco

Cerro Uritorco is the highest mountain in the Sierras Chicas range. It is 1900 meters (about 6,230 feet) tall. You need to pay a fee to climb it, but the views are amazing. The hike to the top takes about 3 hours. Along the way, you can see different plants, waterfalls, and springs.

From the top, you can see the town, the El Cajón Dam, and the huge salt flats called Salinas Grandes. Many people have reported seeing UFOs near Cerro Uritorco. Some even believe there is a secret underground city called Erks hidden inside the mountain. These stories make Cerro Uritorco a very mysterious place.

El Castillo del Cómic

El Castillo del Cómic is a museum with over 15,000 action figures and 3,000 comic books. It is located in an old mansion built in 1905. Visitors can tour the mansion and learn about comic book history. The museum also hosts workshops and exhibitions. There is a bar and restaurant too.

Los Alazanes Dam

The Los Alazanes Dam was built in the mountains between Cerro Overo and Cerro Las Gemelas. Its construction started in 1939 and finished in 1941. It was built to provide water for the growing city, especially during the busy summer tourist season. Today, it is still a main water source and a popular spot for hiking and enjoying nature.

El Cajón Dam

The El Cajón Dam was started in the 1970s. It was finished and opened in 1993. This dam was built mainly for tourists. People can swim, fish, and sail here. The dam also helps provide clean drinking water for the city.

Calle Techada

The Calle Techada means "roofed street" in English. It is in the center of the city. The roof was put up in 1964 for a photography show. It was not meant to stay, but it became a popular landmark. Today, many shops and restaurants are under the roof. It is also where the Alien Festival and other events take place.

El Zapato

El Zapato is a natural rock formation that looks like a shoe. It is a popular spot because of its unique shape. From El Zapato, you can see great views of the city and the El Cajón Dam.

Geography

Location

Mountains by Capilla del Monte

Capilla del Monte is located along the western side of Cerro Uritorco and Cerro Las Gemelas mountains. It stretches to the El Cajón lake. The main highway, Ruta Nacional 38, runs through the city. Since the late 1980s, more families have moved here, especially from big cities like Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Córdoba. The city has grown to include natural areas like the El Zapato rock, the Los Paredones hills, and the Calabalumba River banks.

Climate

Capilla del Monte has a subtropical highland climate. This means it has pleasant summers and chilly, drier winters. Snow is rare. The average rainfall each year is about 641 millimeters (25 inches).

See also

In Spanish: Capilla del Monte para niños