History of Haras Cañada de la Cruz

The hacienda belonged to an old local family, the Sosas. They were among the first creoles who inhabited Cañada de la Cruz, as the place was originally called-today known as Exaltación de la Cruz.

Haras Cañada de la Cruz came to be in 1950, founded by a renowned and prestigious doctor from Capilla del Señor who made a living by breeding thoroughbred race horses (which competed in the most important national racetracks), as well as breeding and training carrier pigeons. This activity was relevant in the northern area of the province of Buenos Aires, inherited from the European tradition -of Belgian fanciers- of the time in which the messenger service depended on an animal with a great sense of direction and able to travel long distances. Later, this became a sport, pigeon racing. The carrier pigeon is also a symbol of peace.

Later, the Sosa children would start breeding horses for sports like pato (Argentina’s national sport) and polo. After some time, they also added the breeding of ‘Hackney’ horses of English origin and used for carriage pulling.

We turned an old shed that once was used to store farm tools and for mares to deliver their offspring into a different multipurpose space: a carriage house, a general store and a matera.

Here, several carriages of the hacienda mingle with the old counter and a large antique shelf exhibiting a cash register, scales, a famous candy jar and an old collection of traditional beverages bottles. There are tables and chairs typical of the general stores and a huge fogón (fire pit) surrounded by little chairs and stools made of braided leather and wood where you can drink mate and smoke classic cigars by the fire. There are also toilets or excusados, as they were called back in the old days, with traditional ceramic and porcelain bathroom fittings.

La Pulpería was not only the town’s general store but also the meeting and entertainment place for the townsfolk and the strangers who were visiting the area.

In the stables next to La Pulpería you’ll find an atelier, where art is prominent in every inch of the room

The Pulpería

A place frozen in time

Unique place for events of all kinds (birthdays, business events, parties, weddings, meetings with friends, etc.). It is a recreation of the old pulperías where the criollos and locals enjoyed having a drink, playing games of taba (knucklebones) or cards, payando (improvising songs to a guitar accompaniment) or singing typical songs of the region. Also, the matera with its big bonfire evokes the meetings of the peons who gathered to matear before and after performing rural tasks.

The pulpería and the matera can be rented separately from the house (please, ask in advance).

Duration of events: 8 hours, approx.

Carriages are available to rent for events (please, ask in advance).

History of Capilla del Señor

In Cañada de la Cruz, the old name of the town, there lived the Casco de Mendoza family. Owners of several haciendas and very devout, they founded a chapel, which soon had settlements of parishioners in the surrounding lands. The chapel was declared vice-parish on September 14, 1735.

The increase of believers had resulted in the founding of several rural parishes by the Diocese of Buenos Aires, but ultimately, given its remoteness and the distances that the settlers had to travel to get there, the church hierarchy released the chapel of the Casco family for public worship.

Over the years, the population around the vice-parish grew and thus began the formation of a small village that would later give rise to the town of Capilla del Señor.

The district of Exaltación de la Cruz was founded in 1784, which included the boundaries of the local parish.

The Executive Power declared Capilla del Señor a National Historic Landmark

Gastronomic Route

Capilla del Señor offers a myriad of options in gourmet gastronomy

  • La Fusta Bar
  • Di Trevi restobar
  • Di Trevi café y heladería
  • La Dominga cafetería y pastelería
  • Los Naranjos restó

Historical Route

The foundation of this destination took place on September 14, 1735, and then it became a National Historic Landmark in 1994.

Capilla has a historic center and a green area to walk around. The historic center is located right in the middle of the city, like many other towns in the province of Buenos Aires, around the main square. It is 1.5 km from the train station.

Places of interest

  • Parish church
  • Museum of Buenos Aires Journalism
  • Museum of Sacred Art
  • El Mirador (Lookout)
  • Cemetery with colonial reminiscences
  • Arco Iris Promenade
  • San Martin Square