Mina Clavero facts for kids

A bridge over the Mina Clavero River.

Mina Clavero is a town in Córdoba Province, Argentina. It is located in the Traslasierra valley. This town is a popular spot for tourists. People love its beautiful nature, sandy beaches, and fun nightlife.

In 2019, the Mina Clavero river was chosen as one of the "seven natural wonders of Argentina." This happened in a contest by the New 7 Wonders Foundation.

History of Mina Clavero

After the city of Córdoba was founded in 1573, explorers came to this area. They wanted to find out about the people and any valuable things, especially minerals.

At that time, the Comechingones people lived here. They were groups of people, each led by a chief called a "cacique." One chief, Milac Navira, lived where Mina Clavero is today. Some historians think the town got its name from him.

However, others believe the name comes from "Mina de Clavero." This means "Clavero's Mine." There was an important mine owned by the Clavero family, which was common in the area.

A Spanish miner, Hernando Romero, came with the first explorers. He took samples of minerals. Later, around 1898, some mines in the Ticas area began to be used. This helped the region grow.

Over time, roads and bridges were built to help trade. Then, mail and telephones arrived. Hotels were built, and important public projects were finished. All these things helped Mina Clavero become a popular tourist town.

By 1890, the area was known for its healing baths. The waters were thought to have special properties. More people moved to the town, and they started to organize community activities.

We don't know the exact date Mina Clavero was founded. But we know that in 1887, a priest named José Gabriel Brochero suggested that Doña Anastasia Favre de Merlo open a guest house here. It started working a few years later.

On May 1, 1928, the town's government (Municipality) was created. Mr. José María Oviedo Allende became its first mayor. On October 11, 1946, Doña Anastasia passed away. This day is now seen as the "spiritual foundation" date for Mina Clavero.

Geography and Climate

Mina Clavero is in the Traslasierra valley. It sits between two mountain ranges, Achala and Pocho. The town is about 915 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level.

The Mina Clavero river flows through the town. Its waters are cold and clear, coming down from the Sierras Grandes mountains. Along its path, the river creates natural swimming spots with sandy beaches. Sometimes, it rains heavily in the high mountains where the river starts, even if it's sunny in town. So, warning systems were put in place in 2009 for sudden floods.

Near Villa Cura Brochero, the Mina Clavero river meets the Panaholma river. The Panaholma river comes from the north and brings warm water. These two rivers join to form the Río de los Sauces. This is the most important river in the valley. It flows into the La Viña dam, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away.

Mina Clavero has a healthy climate. The days are bright, and the nights are cool. There isn't much humidity. The valley has a lot of ozone and little pollution, so the air is very fresh.

The town has a special microclimate. This means the average temperature all year is about 15°C (59°F). There are also about 320 sunny days each year! The rainy season is from November to March.

Attractions and Tourism

The final course of the Mina Clavero river.

This area is a very popular place for tourists. It has 14 miles of sandy beaches and rocks. You can find small waterfalls, spas, and natural river pools. There are also cultural places to visit. These include the Museo de las Campanas (Bell Museum), which has over 600 bells from around the world. There is also a museum for minerals.

The landscape and climate make Mina Clavero great for many outdoor activities. You can go trekking (hiking), horseback riding, or take ATV and 4x4 trips on mountain roads. These roads have different levels of difficulty.

A few kilometers from town, you can try sport climbing and mountain biking. You can also go sport fishing for trout in the clear mountain streams. If you love water sports, you can ride a jet ski or pedalo on the La Viña dam. This dam is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) south of the city. In summer, you can also kayak on the many rivers. Abseiling (rappelling) is done in the Quebrada de San Lorenzo. You can also go paragliding in Río Los Sauces and Baño de los Dioses.

All year round, you can watch birds. Good places for bird watching include Quebrada del Condorito National Park. Here, you can see a giant "V" shape in the land, about 800 meters (2,600 feet) deep. Other spots are Paraje Río Los Sauces, Cerro San José, and La Palmita.

Mina Clavero has many places for tourists to stay. There are hotels, lodges, inns, hostels, cabins, and camping sites. Many houses are also available for rent. The town has a wide variety of restaurants. There are also many fun things to do, like a casino, bingo, and theater shows.

You can also visit the Nido del Águila spa. It is a nice place to visit and enjoy with your family.

The area is also used for the Rally Argentina, a famous car race.

In 2019, the Mina Clavero river was chosen as one of the "seven natural wonders of Argentina." This was part of a contest organized by the New 7 Wonders Foundation. Both public votes and expert opinions were used to make the choice.

Famous People

• Jorge Raúl Recalde: A famous rally car driver (1951 - 2001).

How to Get There

• From Córdoba Capital, you can get there by National Route 20, also known as "Camino de las Altas Cumbres."
• From Cruz del Eje, use Provincial Route 15.
• From Villa Dolores, use Provincial Route 14.

See also

In Spanish: Mina Clavero para niños