TUCUMÁN: VARIADA PROPUESTA PARA ESTE FIN DE SEMANA EN FAMAILLÁ

This Saturday, the City of Replicas will be one of the places visited during the Route of Faith tour offered by the Tucumán Tourism Board. In addition, in the afternoon, the Famaillá Edition of the Southern Folkloric Cultural Movement will take place, with various groups participating. Meanwhile, on Sunday, festivities will take place in honor of the city's patron saint, the Virgin of Carmen. 

The Faith Route, which corresponds to the Southern Circuit, begins at 9 a.m. departing from San Miguel de Tucumán and ends at 6 p.m. During the journey, you will visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Valley (La Reducción - Lules), the Jesuit Ruins of San José (Lules), the Parish of the Immaculate Conception (Concepción), the Church of Our Lady of Mercy (Simoca), the Church of the Villa de Medinas (Villa de Medinas), the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (Monteros), the Jesuit Church of San Ignacio de Loyola (La Cocha), and in Famaillá: 

• The Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel:   located opposite the city's main square, it was conceived as a large structure without a tower or fluted columns, in the Italian style. In general terms, the façade would be ascribed to the architectural movement known as Classicism. At the entrance, it features two large sculptures identified with Elijah and Abraham, biblical prophets dedicated to the Virgin of Mount Carmel. Inside, there is an image of the Virgin of Black Hair, brought from Spain by a Carmelite priest.

It is believed to be over 250 years old due to the existence of a will dating back to 1796, in which Doña Josefa Pérez requested to be buried in the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. However, the location was not the current one, as maps drawn up in 1834 and 1848 corroborate that the exact location of the parish church was on the banks of the present-day Famaillá River. Later, a building was built for the parish church opposite the main square.

As far as is known, in 1872, due to the building's deteriorating condition, the local residents and faithful decided to create a fundraising committee to fund the restoration of the temple and church. In August 1890, the building was reopened for worship, as indicated by a commemorative plaque. The chapel's facade—the upper triangle—was restored in 1934. In 1951, several additions were made to various parts of the original building, including those in the south section: the former parish priest's quarters and the sacristy.

• The Gallery of Veneration: Located on Provincial Route 301, opposite the Famaillá access roundabout, on a plot of approximately 3,000 m2. Construction began in 1999, and the first part of the gallery was inaugurated in June 2003, in the presence of provincial and local authorities and blessed by Monsignor Luis Villalba. The project was further expanded by Mayor José Fernando Orellana. Under his leadership, 500 meters of cobblestone walkways were built, facilitating vehicular traffic for visitors. One of the most important sections of the site was also inaugurated: "Monte Carmelo," a section built in honor of Famaillá's patron saint, the Blessed Virgin of Carmen.

Currently, this imposing structure consists of two grotto sections divided into two wings. These were built with a cement base covered with flagstone. Both sections have access ramps and ornamental columns. The main altar was built with cement and marble. There is also a grotto on the site, built in homage to Our Lady of Lourdes, at the foot of which a majestic fountain can be seen. In addition to this section, there are five more themed sections. Among them, we can mention those located in the south wing: the representation of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima accompanied by the three shepherd children (Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco), who were the protagonists of that event in 1917, and the monument commemorating Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, two of the most important figures in the spiritual and religious life of recent times.

• The Replica of St. Peter's Square:  It features all the saints found in the original, along with the imposing columns and the Obelisk in the center. Also represented are replicas of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, which are funeral parlors for low-income residents.

That same day, starting at 7:00 p.m. on the esplanade of the replica of the Cabildo, the Famaillá Edition of the Southern Folkloric Cultural Movement will take place. More than 10 academies from Famaillá, Alderetes, Aguilares, Santa Ana, Santa Lucía, Amberes, Gastona, and León Rouge will participate. To the fullest music and color, they will perform traditional dances, celebrating the day of the Tucumán poncho with those present. 

The Entrepreneurs Fair will be open all day on the Paseo de los Emprendedores, located in front of the Cabildo. 

On Sunday, starting at 4 p.m., the Patron Saint Festivities of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be celebrated in the Plaza Principal San Martín, with a traditional procession and mass. There will also be an Entrepreneurs' Fair where you can sample traditional foods and regional products, enjoy handicrafts, paintings, and flower pots. There will also be shows for the whole family. 

Among the main guests will be Grito Mandero, Maestro Avelino, and the Cantores del Alba.

A weekend to experience empanadas in a different way in the National Capital of Empanadas. Don't miss it!