The tall and lanky figure of the bell tower of the San Felipe Apóstol chapel looms over the simple urbanization of Villa Espil, as an essential reference to approach and discover the charms that this rural town holds on one side of the double road that points west.
The design of the temple, immaculately covered in white, has since 1960 provided a unique modernist touch to this portion of the San Andrés de Giles party. Inside, the image of the patron in hand-carved wood donated by Alberto Espil is the first example of the legacy of one of the most renowned families in these areas of the humid pampas.
One immerses oneself out of mere curiosity in the corners of Villa Espil and, almost without wanting to, begins to retrace the path on foot and without rushing. history of the place through its founding sites.
In this case it is useless to look for the train station as a starting point. The place It emerged as the base of three wagon posts who traveled the dusty Camino Real to Cuyo and Chile in the 18th century, until the nascent town began to be seen in 1936, at the same pace as the construction of Route 7 progressed.
For this, the gesture of the politician Alberto Espil was decisive, who decided to donate the land necessary for the creation of the town, as a tribute to the work carried out by his father Felipe Santiago at the head of the Giles mayor’s office.
Felipe Santiago Espil Plaza, in Villa Espil.He contribution of the Espil remains visible at each of the stops on the historical circuit.
It stands out in block letters among the symmetrical rows of plane trees in the main squareresonates in the voices full of longing of the residents and occupies a leading place in the origins of the Domingo French Primary School No. 19 and the Villa Espil Civil, Cultural and Recreational Association, firmly installed with the foundations of the town since the years ‘ 30.
The journey through the past reveals the strong local connection with the agricultural and livestock environment.
In 2011, the distant big city the 87 kilometers He added another nuance to that unmistakable cultural identity, with the founding of the Tango Dance and Theater Workshop.
From there came the talented artists who make up the Tanguera Choreographic Group of Villa Espil, an unexpected source of pride for just over 150 inhabitants, more accustomed to delighting with dancers of native dances, popular singers and long-winded payadores.
Native dances, at the party for the anniversary of the founding of Villa Espil. The 2024 edition will be on Sunday, October 27 from 11 a.m.A good part of this collection that inflates the chests of the people of Spile will be on stage – outdoors and with free admission – during the celebration of the 88 years of the founding of the town, announced for Sunday, October 27, starting at 11.
The program of the most anticipated partyorganized jointly by the Cultural and Recreational Association and the Kindergarten No. 906 Rosa Peláez de Espil, includes dance groups, live musicians (Reverdecer and La Banda de Pachi have already confirmed their presence, among other credits with roots in the area ), inflatable games and artisan and gastronomy stalls.
Fried meat empanadas, one of “Grandma Teresa’s” specialties at the Aromas de Campo restaurant, in Villa Espil.What to eat in Villa Espil
Los most representative flavors of Villa Espil They also hit their sweet spot among “Grandma Teresa’s” dishes. She is the experienced cultivator of ancestral recipes that delights palates in Field Aromas.
Fried meat empanadas, vegetable ravioli, sorrentinos, pickles and cold cuts are the best reasons to visit this house converted into a restaurant without losing its family essence, to which Raúl Acosta – the son-in-law of the most revered figure – add the inevitable roast.
Aromas de Campo takes up the genuine spirit that people still enjoy today. customers of the town’s old general store.
Carlos Salvador Demeco’s legendary bowling alley opened its doors in the 1950s to offer farmhands, neighbors and people passing through a place to have a drink, stock up and, above all, meet for a relaxed chat.
Mural painted by a group of students from Villa Espil.Some of that seems to suggest a mural populated with yellow butterflieswhich seem to fly without a certain direction and without tension on a wall, renovated in the manner of a painting of intense colors by the virtuous hands of the town’s students. The most striking postcard is the suggestive end point of the walk.
How to get there
- From the city of Buenos Aires to Villa Espil it is 87 kilometers via West Access to Luján and Route 7.
- Micro 57 Atlántida from Plaza Italia to Luján, $1,659; from Plaza Once, $2,619.
- Sarmiento train to Luján with transfer in Moreno, $1,273; with SUBE, $823.
- Combi Fabe Bus from Obelisco to Luján, $6,500 one way.
- Remís La Nueva España for 4 passengers from Luján to Villa Espil (18 km), $30,000 plus $1,200 toll (02323-442-242).
- Bus 273 (La Isleña company) also arrives from Luján to Villa Espil.
How much does it cost
- Admission to the Villa Espil Festival, free.
- Chicken with salad at the gastronomic fair, $15,000.
- Various appetizers, empanada, homemade cold cuts, barbecue, pasta, salad, drink and dessert at the Aromas de Campo restaurant, $17,000; from 5 to 10 years, 50% (02325- 15410175 / 02325- 15654944 / jracosty@hotmail.com / Facebook: Aromas de Campo).
Where to get information
- (02323) 15520179
- turismosanandresdegiles@gmail.com
- www.sanandresdegiles.gob.ar