Since 1866, Estancia San Martín in Cañuelas has been a pioneer in horse breeding, leading the agricultural and dairy vanguard in Argentina since the beginnings of La Martona. Today, with the enhancement of its historic center, it is reinventing itself as the cradle of the Cañuelas Polo Club, becoming the essential territorial complement for a region recognized worldwide as the cradle of the best polo.
In the dawn of yesteryear, the rhythmic beat of the milk jugs marked the beginning of the day. Today, with the echo of the polo cue finding its target - the ball - the countryside awakens.
two centuries of history
In a region in full agricultural production, the location of the Sociedad Pastoril de Merinos, future lands of the Estancia San Martín.
Hull of the Sociedad Pastoril with the small house and ombú trees. On its side, the Camino Real and, above it, a ditch for protection.
The hoof in full development of sheep breeding.
The old town with the mansion and its tower, the "Galpón de los Merinos" and the "Galpón de los Toros" in a landscape surrounded by a new grove of trees.
View of the park of Estancia San Martín. There are still the fountains oriented along the axis of the old house (1864) and its old park.
1864: construction of the new hull by Vicente Casares. 1990s: addition of a pavilion; annexes for restrooms. 1903: enlargement with reception rooms, new openings and decorated ceilings. 1931: construction of a belvedere; incorporation of neocolonial elements.
1885: initial construction in the style of a French Renaissance palace. 1892: fire that destroyed the 4 corner pavilions; subsequent simplification of the roof. 20th century: housing of Shire and Morgan stallions, followed by La Martona bulls. 1920's: addition of silos for dairy fodder.
1920. First wooden silos based on European and North American models.
Function: accumulation and conservation of fodder for winter seasons, with top loading and side unloading.
A cheese factory, managed by a French master cheesemaker, was installed in the mansion.
First factory of La Martona. The water tank and a Hamburg flagstone floor are still preserved.
Painting where you can still see the young eucalyptus trees, the trails with granite and bowling-green. In the background the chalet.
Main and ceremonial entrance of the Estancia.
The gates belonged to Parque 3 de Febrero and were designed by architect Dormal in 1875.
The new factory built on the railroad line (1885).
Interior of the factory. You can see the mixing machines driven by belts from a shaft and a central steam engine.
Interior of one of the 40 dairies where La Martona products were sold to the public. The premises that had to prove their hygiene resembled an operating room with its white tile cladding, carrara marble counters, and salesmen in spotless white aprons.
Dulce de Leche La Martona.
Export and local version.
Avenue of eucalyptus trees (planted around 1869). The seedlings were a gift from Pereyra Iraola to Vicente L. Casares. Today, one of the accesses to the property by Adolfo Cambiaso Street.
Park near the house, where you can see the relatively young palm trees and one of the gas lanterns with which the park was illuminated. Most of the trees are exotic species, in keeping with the style of the time.
Family of Vicente Lorenzo Casares in front of the house.
Manuel Ferraz de Campos Sales, president of Brazil, visits La Martona -as a symbol of the country's progress- together with Vicente Lorenzo Casares. He is accompanied by President Julio Argentino Roca, Estanislao Zeballos (president of the CDNA) and Quintino Bocayuba (Brazilian journalist, writer and politician).
Visit of Getulio Vargas, President of the Republic of Brazil, at Estancia San Martin.
Visit of Arturo Illia and Charles de Gaulle, President of France.
"La Leche Cuajada de La Martona", book and first joint collaboration of Jorge Luis Borges and Adolfo Bioy Casares. The name La Martona came in honor of Marta Casares Lynch, Bioy Casares' mother. At that time, the lady who took care of her called her "Martona". That is why his uncle commissioned the young writer to write a booklet in favor of its yogurt predecessor: the successful "leche cuajada" (curdled milk).
Ladies of Casares at La Martona confectionery.
On the right is the first television set in the village.
On March 20, 1997, the main house of Estancia San Martín was declared a National Historic Monument.
-Decree 262/9
Import of carrara marble pieces brought from Italy.
Catalogs: marble vases, recumbent lions and fountains with cherubs.
Symbolism: horse, bull and sheep heads as protective totems in stables and barns.
The cattle were branded with fire- "la yerra"-giving rise to a convocation and festivities.
Estancia Marks
"The estancia (San Martin) measures 7,500 hectares. It has 12,500 bulls, calves and cows; all dairy cows of Dutch and Swiss breeds. 300 men are in charge of milking them from three o'clock in the morning."
-JulesHuret, French writer and journalist
Presentation of the project to the community of Cañuelas.
-the pole, a "smokeless" industry
Start of construction
Shed Nº8
April 8, 2024