Unquillo

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Cities and towns
in Argentina

Unquillo

Province	Córdoba
Department	Colón
Location	31°14′ S 64°19′ W
Population	15,369
Phone code	+54 3543
CPA base	X5109

Unquillo is a city in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. It has 15,369 inhabitants as per the 2001 census [INDEC]. It is located about 22 km north-northwest from the center of the provincial capital, Córdoba City, and 14 km east of Cosquín.

Unquillo is the birthplace of professional tennis player David Nalbandian.

[edit] Father Aguilera: La Casa Del Niño

La Casa del Niño it's an institution that lodges abandoned, disabled and with families in conflict children. The house was founded by Héctor Aguilera's father in 1969 and since then it is directed by him. It is the most important recognized charity work in the city of Córdoba. Today the institution lodges more than 600 children.

Father Aguilera's edifying work of caring abandoned children with no roof where to be protected, has 36 years of love. Father Aguilera found his destiny –that of helping children- en 1969, after a storm. The heavy rain made rivers to grow up their flow and the poor houses named “ranchos” were destroyed. There was desolation everywhere. Little brothers, with no house and no parents (one en jail, and the other who knew where), asked for help. Since that moment, the parish house has another function.

Now the House in Unquillo has 9 houses, and with the other 35 in different places, makes a true social initiative. At the present, more than 500 children in Unquillo, Río Ceballos, Candonga y Cuesta Blanca shows the growing and development of the institution. But Father Aguilera isn't alone: there is a legion of volunteers working as permanent mothers and transitory uncles for the children.

[edit] Interesting Places To Visit

Unquillo has preserved some interesting places to visit, as the Capilla de Buffo Chapel, located in Villa Leonor at 7 kilometres of the City, whose construction was done by request of the Italian immigrant Guido Buffo, an art and science lover, on behalf of his deceased wife and daughter. The curious thing about this Chapel, besides the peculiar architectonical style it shows, is the fact that it contains two seismograph devices and a Foucault pendulum, as well as some fresco paintings with a renaissance style showing portraits of the three constituting members of the family.

The overwhelming beauty of 'Los Quebrachitos' will prove to be of an extraordinary kind as well as all of the remaining area of the Valley, like those laying by the road that connects this locality with the City of Cosquín and over the one that leads to the Pan de Azúcar, leaving alone other extremely attractive zones as Cabana.

Another attraction is the Municipal Museum Lino E. Spilimbergo, who was one of the chief artists within Argentina, who lived in this locality since 1952 till his death in 1964. This Museum remains open all year long and it contains many exhibitions to be seen.

Among the rich architectonical legacy from the early 20th century which are still to be seen in Unquillo, although in distinct stages of preservation, can be mentioned some buildings as the 'Casa de la Cultura', located at the San Martín Avenue and at only few metres away from the bus station; the old Sierras Hotel, erected in 1914, which is nowadays the seat of the Municipal Government and is located at the side of the same San Martín Avenue; and the Municipal Mansion of Villa Forchieri, built in 1928 as a lodging facility within the grounds of the Polideportivo.

An appealing target for all kinds of cameras is the Gruta de Lourdes Cave at the heights of the San Miguel Mountain, from where the City of Córdoba can be spotted and an interesting angle of the Sierras Chicas Mountain Ridge can be obtained.

The most important event in this Town are its parades, famous throughout the Province. These parades take place during the first fortnight of February. There are many contests, which include those of wagons, of disguises, and of musical bands; there are also male and female beauty pageants, going for the titles of Mister and Miss Corsos Unquillo. All of the Town comes together at the Doble Avenida to watch the ingenuity, colour and will developed in the making of each costume, of each wagon. No one will miss this party. Through all the length of the Doble Avenida the assistants get mingled with the wagons, the participants and the musical bands.