Thirty kilometres south of Córdoba lies the friendly town of Alta Gracia. Not only is the town surrounded by lush, undulating valleys and hills that invite the traveller for a hike or a ride on horseback, Alta Gracia is first and foremost known for an ancient Jesuit Estancia and a museum centered around Ernesto Che Guevara's life.
Ernesto Che Guevara – Life in Rosario and Alta Gracia
The South American revolutionary idol Ernesto Che Guevara was born in Rosario in 1928, but moved to Alta Gracia as a child after the doctors diagnosed him with asthma. The picturesque house at Avellaneda 501 was built in 1911 and named after the youngest daughter of the first owner of the house, Nydia, but the name was changed into Villa Beatrix after Che Guevara's family moved in. Guevara lived here from 1935-1937 and 1939-1943. The second house in Alta Gracia where the family lived is just down the road, on number 14.
Museo del Che Guevara in Alta Gracia
In 2001 Villa Nydia opened its doors as "Museo del Che Guevara" and is considered a heritage site by Alta Gracia. It is one of the seven homes where the Guevara family lived and currently houses Argentina's best museum on Che's life – for example, in Buenos Aires are at least two other museums of Che Guevara, but their collections are much less complete.
El Museo del Che Guevara gives a thorough account of Guevara's life. Pictures, letters and explanatory panels [Spanish and English] extensively tell about his childhood, his youth, his ideals about the revolution and his role in international affairs. Furniture, books, gifts, his old bicycle and motorbike – the latter famous after the book and movie "Motorcycle Diaries" – are all on display.
An oddity is the old toilet, brought to the visitor's attention by a sign saying "this toilet is part of the museum". Alta Gracia also proudly displays pictures of Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro visiting El Museo del Che Guevara in 2006.
Che Guevara Museum in Alta Gracia – Address, Opening Hours and Entrance Fee
- Avellaneda 501 – Barrio Carlos Pellegrini Alta Gracia, Córdoba, tel: 00 54 03547-428579
- Opening Hours: winter: Mon 14-19pm; Tue-Sun 9am-19pm / summer: Mon-Sun 9am-8pm
- Entrance fee: A$5 [US $2], free on Wednesday.
Ernesto Che Guevara Museums and Statue in Argentina
For the true Che Guevara fans, Argentina has more to offer, especially in Rosario and Buenos Aires.
- In Rosario, in Santa Fe Province, Ernesto Che Guevara's house can be seen only on the outside; a Parisian-style apartment complex on Entre Ríos 480.
- In June 2008 a statue of Che Guevara was unveiled in Rosario: Plaza Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, corner of Buenos Aires St. and Bv. 27 De Febrero.
- Museum "Ernesto 'Che' Guevara": Rioja St. 129, Buenos Aires; Mon-Fri 9am-7pm.
- Che Guevara Historic museum: N. Oroño St 458, Buenos Aires; Mon-Fri 9am-1pm.
Che Guevara fans may also want to travel down the famous Ruta del Che in Bolivia.
How to Reach the Che Guevara Museum in Alta Gracia
Córdoba has an airport with connections to other cities within Argentina and offers direct flights to, among others, Santiago in Chile and São Paulo in Brazil. Another option is to take the bus. Several [long distance] bus companies ply between Buenos Aires [Retiro] and Alta Gracia, as well as between Córdoba and Alta Gracia.
If you also want to visit nearby tourist attractions around Córdoba, such as the Jesuit Estancias that lie deeper in the countryside, it may be more practical to rent a car in Córdoba. There are Tourist Information Points at Córdoba's bus station, airport and downtown [Cabildo] with detailed information on flights, bus services, hotels and car rental agencies.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
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