Agua de Oro

Agua de Oro is a town in the Colón Department in the Province of Córdoba in central Argentina, north of the provincial capital Córdoba and is located on the eastern slopes of the Sierras Chicas. The town is a frequent inner-Argentine holiday destination, particularly during the summer months, and the town offers various tourist accommodations and restaurants.^[2]

Agua de Oro is located around 50 kilometers north of the city of Córdoba, flanked by the neighboring towns of Salsipuedes to the south and La Granja to the north. It sits at around 800 meters above sea level, and is crossed in a north-south direction by the provincial road E53, which connects the city of Jesus Maria with Córdoba.

The town is crossed from west to east by the Chavascate River, which is one of the principal tourist attractions.^[3] There are concerns that mining and quarrying in the area will negatively affect the Chavascate's river basin^[4], and researchers of the National University of Córdoba and local environmental activists have started a citizen science effort to measure the influx of organic material.^[5]

The municipal radius extends for approximately 157 square km, including both urban and rural areas. In 2026, the city limits are in the process of being re-defined.^[6]

The town has experienced as substantial growth in the past 30 years. According to national census (INDEC) data, the town had 923 in 1991, growing to 1,553 by 2001. By the census of 2022, this number grew to 3,242.

The town runs its own free clinic or health center,^[7] including programs for sexual health,^[8] which is financed by the municipality^[9], as well as a provincial support facility for addictions.^[10]

Agua de Oro also has a number of schools, including the Centro Educativo Victor Mercante Nivel Inicial and two primary schools — the Escuela Victor Mercante and Escuela 9 de Julio. Furthermore, it also is home to two secondary schools, I.P.E.M. (Instituto Provincial Educación Media) N° 387 Sotero Eugenio Bartolome and the annex to I.P.E.M. Nº 367 in the El Algodonal neighborhood.^[11]

In the nearby hamlet of Villa Cerro Azul, 2.5 km west of Agua de Oro, an archeological site of the Comechingones is found.^[12] In December 2024, the municipality created a 22 hectare big municipal natural reserve for the protection of groundwater.^[13] The town celebrates the carnival season with a local parade.^[14]

The patron of the town is Our Lady of Lourdes. The town has a grotto for her and she is celebrated on every February 11. In the "Parque Tres Cóndores" neighborhood, there is also a grotto to Our Lady of the Rosary, the patron of the province of Córdoba.

In August 2020, the city announced its new municipal flag which was sourced via a public competition.^[15]

• The gate to the Estancia that started Agua de Oro, after it was rebuilt in 2025
• Sign at the entrance to the urban natural reserve in Agua de Oro, Córdoba, Argentina
• The offices of the municipality in the center of town.
• The local clinic in Agua de Oro
• The Río Chavascate in Agua de Oro, Argentina
• A pool on the Chavascate river
• View towards the El Sauce quarry from Agua de Oro during dawn
• Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Agua de Oro
• Our Lady of the Rosary in Agua de Oro
• The church of the congregation "Nuestra Señora de Lourdes"
• Victor Mercante school, Nivel Inicial building
• Victor Mercante primary school
• Joint IPEM 367 secondary school and 9 de Julio primary school
• San Vicente Ferrer Chapel on the outskirts of the village