Trancas, Argentina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Trancas
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 Trancas
Location in Argentina
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| Country | Argentina |
| Province | Tucumán Province |
| Department | Trancas Department |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 3,391 |
Trancas is a town in Argentina, located in the Tucumán Province. It is the main town of the Trancas Department. This town sits in a big valley, surrounded by tall mountains and hills covered with forests and jungles. Trancas was a very important place for defending the northern part of Argentina. It also saw many key moments during Argentina's fight for independence.
Contents
History of Trancas
Early Settlement and Growth
Around the year 1600, a settlement began in a place called "Pozo del Pescado," which means "Fish Pit." A fort was built there to protect the new community.
In the 1700s, a group called the Jesuits built the first church in Trancas. This village was an important stop for travelers going between Tucumán and Salta Province.
In 1763, the people of Trancas moved about 3 kilometers (nearly 2 miles) south. They settled on new land given to them by José Torino.
Role in Argentina's Independence
On August 7, 1816, a famous general named Manuel Belgrano took charge of the Northern Army again in Trancas. He took over from General José Rondeau. This was during Argentina's fight for independence.
In 1820, Colonel Bernabé Aráoz became the President of the "Republic of Tucumán." Later, in 1824, Bernabé Aráoz was shot against the south wall of the church in Trancas.
Rebuilding and Modernization
In 1826, a strong earthquake destroyed much of the town. However, people started rebuilding Trancas on its old foundations in 1827.
The railroad arrived in Trancas in 1885. Because the old town was on low-lying land, which caused diseases, people started asking the government to move the town. In 1906, a new village called "Trancas Station" was officially created on higher land. This new village eventually became what is known as Trancas today.
The Church of the Sacred Heart
The Church of the Sacred Heart (Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón) is a very important building in Trancas. It was declared a National Monument in 1957, meaning it's a protected historical site.
Architecture and Design
The church has a simple, old-fashioned style from the time after the Spanish colonial period. It features a bell tower, a main hall (called a nave), and a special chapel for souls. The front of the church is flat, connecting the main hall with the bell tower. Its unique roof design has two overlapping triangular sections.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is also simple. There's a choir area near the entrance and the chapel of souls behind it. The walls are made of adobe (a type of mud brick), covered with plaster, and painted white. The roof is made of wooden shingles over wooden beams.
Religious Art and History
Inside the church, you can find old religious artworks. These include a statue of the patron saint, San Joaquin, which might have come from a workshop in Upper Peru (now Bolivia). There are also statues of Saint Joseph and a Nazarene. The famous sculptor Lola Mora was baptized in this church.
See also
In Spanish: Trancas para niños
