5 Best Sights in The Northwest, Argentina

The city's 1882 neoclassical cathedral fronts the central plaza. It's notable for the enormous frescoes portraying the four gospel writers on the portico around the altar and its impressive stained glass windows. Inside the entrance is the Panteón de las Glorias del Norte, enclosing the tombs of General Martín Miguel de Güemes and other heroes from the War of Independence. Wander to the back of the rose-colored cathedral for a peek at the beautiful, jasmine-infused garden.

The cathedral dates from 1765 and was the first building constructed in the city; however, it has been augmented and remodeled so many times that it's now a hodgepodge of architectural styles. The interior contains an ornately carved, gold-plated pulpit, said to be the finest in South America. A close look reveals an intricate population of carved figures, biblical and otherwise. It was inspired by the Cusqueña school of art from Cuzco, Peru, as were the building's ornate doors and confessionals. The cathedral museum next door houses a wealth of religious art.

The 1631 Iglesia de la Candelaria contains fine examples of Cusqueño art, most notably paintings depicting elongated figures of Old Testament prophets by 18th-century artist Marcos Zapaca.

An ornate 18th-century wooden pulpit with dozens of figures of monks is the centerpiece of the Church of St. Francis, two blocks west of Plaza General Belgrano. There's some debate about who carved the pulpit: it may have been local artisans, or the pulpit may have been transported from Bolivia. Although the church and bell tower look colonial, they date from 1930. Also stop by the bijou Museo de arte sacro museum (entrance on Belgrano) to see religious art dating back to the 17th century.

The most notable landmark downtown on the central plaza is Iglesia de Santa Rosa de Lima. Dating from 1778, it was constructed from adobe and thistle wood. On calle Belgrano, to the left of the church, is a 620-year-old carob tree.