San Pedro de Colalao facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Pedro de Colalao
|
|
|---|---|
| Country |  Argentina |
| Province | Tucumán Province |
San Pedro de Colalao is a town located in the Tucumán Province in northern Argentina. It is a popular spot for tourists, known for its natural beauty and interesting historical sites.
Contents
Discover San Pedro de Colalao
San Pedro de Colalao offers many exciting places to visit. From ancient rocks with mysterious drawings to a special animal reserve, there's something for everyone.
The Painted Rock: La Piedra Pintada
La Piedra Pintada, which means "the painted rock," is a very important archaeological treasure in San Pedro de Colalao. Professor Inocencio Liberan found this amazing rock in 1877. It has many old carvings called pictographs.
The rock is quite large, about 3 meters (10 feet) long, 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) wide, and 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. It was buried deep underground, at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) below the surface. We don't know exactly what the pictographs mean. However, many people believe they are connected to good harvests and having many children. You can also clearly see drawings of birds and other animals.
To reach Piedra Pintada, you can walk for about an hour and a half from the town. It is surrounded by lots of green plants and is close to the Tipa Mayo river.
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
Our Lady of Lourdes is a very special saint for the people of San Pedro de Colalao. This site is a copy of the famous Our Lady of Lourdes grotto in France. It is a place of great faith and devotion.
Every February, thousands of people gather here. They come to watch a play that shows the "Miracle of Our Lady of Lourdes." Professional actors and local community members perform this special event.
San Pedro Church
The main church of San Pedro de Colalao is called Iglesia de San Pedro. You can find it at the southern edge of Leocadio Paz Square, right in the center of town. The church's construction began in 1895. It was built by the Medici brothers, who came from Modena, Italy.
Inside the church, you can see a beautiful painting of the Immaculate Conception. This artwork was created by the Italian artist Gaspar Spadafora. The church also holds other valuable religious items. Some of these items are more than 300 years old!
Dr. Carlos Pellegrini Zoological Reserve
San Pedro de Colalao is home to the Dr. Carlos Pellegrini Zoological Reserve. This reserve is a great place to see many different animals. It is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the town center on Calle Las Heras.
The reserve has both animals from other countries and animals native to Argentina. You can see colorful toucans, powerful Bengal tigers, and elegant flamingos. You might also spot pumas, tapirs, and foxes. The reserve covers a large area of 400 hectares (about 988 acres). It first opened in 1994. Today, it is home to over 150 different kinds of animals. You can visit the reserve daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
See also
In Spanish: San Pedro de Colalao para niños
