History

The word “Cafayate” is in Quechua language and scholars do not agree on its meaning. José Vicente Solá, in his dictionary on expressions from Salta, says it means “box of water”. Some say there was an indigenous chief called laike that. Others say the word means “big lake” (“Capac-Yac”). Amadeo Sirolli, an anthropologist, says it may come from “capac”, chief, and “yaco”, water. So the meaning of “Cafayate” would be something like “the lake where the chief lives” or “the chief’s lake”. There are still more versions.

A Franciscan mission called Reducción del Rosario del Calchaquí (Rosary from Calchaquí Reduction) settled there by mid 17^th century. Some years later it was abandoned but the locals inherited the image of the Virgen del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary), present patron of the village.

In 1826 Josefa Antonia Frías de Aramburu, widow of Ignacio Aramburu, Mayor of Salta in 1768 and landowner in the Valles Calchaquíes, donated to the above mentioned Virgin the place called Cafayate in order to found a village.

In 1840 Manuel Fernando de Aramburu, willing to fulfill his dead mother’s will, commissioned his cousin Rosendo Frías the demarcation of the plots.

The old village San Carlos became the capital of the department of Cafayate in 1863. In January of 1866 the first city council was created and Sigifredo Brachieri, a neighbor that was in the wine business, became its first mayor.

The present church was consecrated the 4^th of January of 1895. It is one of the three churches in America with five naves.

One year later the Banco de la Nación Argentina (Bank of the Argentine Nation) was opened up to the public.

The first electric power plant started operating in 1926 and the streets were paved in 1959.

In 1969 Pope Paul VI created the Prelatura de Cafayate that covers the region of the Valles Calchaquíes that include part of the provinces of Salta, Tucumán and Catamarca.

Geography

Location

The Cafayate Department is located at the south of the Province of Salta, 1683 meters (5521 feet) above sea level. Its coordinates are between 65°38’20’’ and 66°11’34’’ west longitude and 25°52’00’’ and 26°21’15’’ south latitude.

Surface: 1820 square km. (1.130 square miles)

How to get there

By car

From San Miguel de Tucumán:

You should take the highway to Faimallá, 25 km. (15 miles) from Tucumán. When you reach Acheral, 18 km (11 miles) later, you should turn to the right and take Route 307 that goes through the jungle. You will pass through El Indio, La Heladera, El fin del Mundo, El Mollar and La Angostura. There is a gas station at this last settlement. Next stop is Tafí del Valle. Then you will start going up till you get to El Infiernillo. You will go through semi arid landscape till you reach Amaicha. After crossing the bridge over River Santamaría you will find a fork. You should take the right branch, Route 40. The Quilmes ruins are an interesting stop on the road. The last village before reaching the province of Salta is Colalao del Valle. After that you will pass through Tolombón and 13 km. (8 miles) after you will be at Cafayate.

From Salta:

You should take Route 68 and go through Cerrillos, La Merced, El Carril, Coronel Moldes and La Viña, that will be your last chance to stop at a gas station. Then you will drive for 100 km (62 miles) along the Quebrada de las Conchas (Ravine of the Shells) and the Quebrada de Cafayate (Cafayate Ravine).

By bus

There are several daily services from Salta city to Cafayate.

By plane

Salta airport is the nearest airport.

Distances from Cafayate to:

Salta: 183 km. (114 miles)

San Miguel de Tucumán: 234 km. (145 miles)

Population: 11.797 inhabitants (2001).

80% of the population lives in the village of Cafayate that is the head of the Cafayate department. The remaining 20% lives in the villages of Tolombón, Las Conchas, Lorohuasi and Yacochuya.

Economy

The most important economic products are: wine, spices (paprika, cumin, anise, curcuma and garlic), onions, tomatoes, skins, tourism, cattle and handicrafts.

Topography

You can enjoy the cascades of River Colorado, Mt. Santa Teresita and the sands of Los Médanos and the Ravine of Cafayate. The most adventurous may try to climb Mt. San Isidro and appreciate the wonderful view of the Valles Calchaquíes from there.

Climate

The average annual temperature is 14,8°C (58,6°F) with a maximum temperature of 28,5°C (83,3°F) and a minimum temperature of 9,4°C (48,9°F). Winter is benign, with scarce frosts although some days are very cold. During summer the temperatures are similar to those in spring and the hottest days are perfectly bearable. There is a strong contrast between temperatures during day and night owing to the very dry atmosphere.