Cosquín, the oldest pueblo in the Punilla Valley, Argentina, was once a popular destination for lung disease patients due to its favorable microclimate. However, with the development of antibiotics, tourism became the main source of income. The city offers natural attractions such as the Cosquín River and Cerro Pan de Azúcar, as well as historical sites like the Piedra Pintada de San Buena. Cosquín hosts the National Folk Festival, the most important folklore festival in Argentina, which includes folk music, dance, and art performances.
Cosquín is a pueblo, or city, located in the province of Córdoba in northern Argentina. It was officially founded in 1876, making it the oldest pueblo in the Punilla Valley, which has since become a tourism spot. The Punilla Valley, or Valle de Punilla, is a wide river valley in which the beautiful San Roque Lake, the San Antonio River and the Cosquín River are located.
The history of this city is marked by a series of interesting economic situations. In 1900, for example, a doctor in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires discovered that the microclimate of Cosquín was ideal for those suffering from lung ailments. Once word of the favorable climate got out, the city and surrounding areas experienced a large influx of lung disease patients from across Latin America. Large recovery facilities were set up to accommodate the sick, which not only brought in money and population but job opportunities as well.
Later, with the development and distribution of antibiotics and anti-tuberculosis drugs, the value of a climate favorable to the lungs began to fade. As the number of lung patients choosing to undergo treatment in Cosquín has declined, cities have also declined to rank first as a source of capital. In the following years, the economy suffered, but eventually revived through the exploitation of tourism.
Tourism has continued to underpin the economy, and when you visit the city and surrounding area, it’s easy to see why. The banks of the Cosquín River offer quiet beaches that are very popular with tourists. You can admire the beauty of ancient ferns and crystalline springs in the woods of Quebrada de Los Leones, or climb the slopes of Cerro Pan de Azúcar, or the hill of Sugar Loaf. Just outside the city, an ecological reserve known as Mallín y la Cueva de los Pajaritos offers birdwatching and is home to the famous chirrio bird.
The city also offers a number of metropolitan attractions. In addition to the picturesque squares scattered around the city, visitors can spend time in the Camin Cosquín Museum. If you fancy a historical treasure hunt, you can go to the monument dedicated to Carlos Gardel, which tells the story of Argentine tango, and is located on Cerro Pan de Azúcar. Another hidden historical treasure is the Piedra Pintada de San Buena. Located near the Yuspe River, just west of Cosquín, the site features autobiographical stone carvings made by the native Comechingones tribe.
Cosquín hosts many festivals and craft fairs throughout the year. Perhaps the most famous of these is the National Folk Festival held annually in the city during the second half of January. This festival, also called the Cosquín Festival, is considered the most important folklore festival in Argentina. It was first held in 1961 and has attracted worldwide attention ever since. Activities include the performance of folk music, folk dances and recitations, and all-night dancing and singing along the Cosquín River. Public performance is an essential aspect of the folkloric tradition in Argentina, and festivalgoers can both observe and participate in the many aspects of folkloric art.
The National Folklore Festival also includes a number of smaller events, which take place over the nine nights of celebration. The Congress of Argentina and its Culture offers courses in artisanal art forms and mother tongue lessons in Quechua and Gruaraní. Highlights of traditional folk art can be seen at the National Crafts and Folk Art Fair. Many of Argentina’s most famous and influential artists of música folclórica, or popular music, have found their success performing at the National Folklore Festival in Cosquín. These include Mercedes Sosa, Antonio Tormo and Gustavo Cuchi Leguisamón, just to name a few.
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