The capital city, Buenos Aires, is a main cultural centre,
which offers all possible attractions to foreigners: one of the leading Opera
Houses in the world, the Colon Theatre, 50 theatres both large and small, 162
cinemas, an intensive musical agenda, numerous sports stadiums, ultra-modern
shopping centres, beautiful parks, museums and galleries, urban tours and
excursions to provincial estancias,
combined with the best array of international
cuisine with superb local wines.
Buenos Aires annually has the same amount of tourists as Rome or Madrid. Overall
Argentina has some 9 million visitors a year, who collectively spend U$D 4.5
billion during their stay. Out of this total of 9 millon tourist, some 4 million
remain in Buenos Aires for an average of six days, while the other 5 million
travel to other points around the country. Three out of ten visitors come to
Argentina on business.
1
National Congress
34
Military Officer’s Club and Arms Museum
2
Del Salvador Church
35
Monument to General Roca
3
Monument to Two Congresses
36
Naval Officers Club
4
Monument to C. Saavedra
37
Monument to San Martín
5
Del Carmen Church
38
City Council
10
"0 Km" Landmark
39
Monument to Saenz Peña
11
National Education Council
40
Kavanagh building
12
School of Fine Arts
41
San Ignacio Church
13
Central Police Headquarters and Fire Station
42
Historic Cabildo (Town Hall)
14
Monument to M. Moreno
43
Metropolitan Cathedral
15
La Piedad Church
44
Santísimo Sacramento
16
Barolo Arcade
45
English Tower
17
Law Courts
46
Santo Domingo Church
18
San Nicolás de Bari Church
47
San Francisco Church
19
Monserrat Church
48
Historic Mayo Needle
20
Synagogue
49
National Mortgage Bank
21
Las Victorias Church
50
Monument to General Manuel Belgrano
22
Theater Centre
51
Argentine National Bank
23
Colón Theatre
52
Anglican Church
24
Cervantes National Theatre
53
Treasury Ministry
25
Public Works Ministry
54
Government House
26
Spanish Club
55
Monument to Juan de Garay
27
San Miguel Church
56
Monument to Admiral Guillermo Brown
28
Monument to M. Dorrego
57
Central Post Office
29
Del Socorro Church
58
Atlas Building
30
San Roque Church
59
Customs Building
31
German Evangelic Church
60
War Ministry
32
First Methodist Church
61
Monument to Christopher Columbus
33
Republic Building
62
Luna Park Stadium
Government
House or Casa Rosada (Pink House)Balcarce
50. This building houses the Executive Power. It was built in 1580 and after
many renovations and with the cooperation of Italian architect Francisco
Tamburini, the facade was
reconstructed and given an Italian French look. During the presidency of Domingo
Faustino Sarmiento, towards the end of the XIX century, the building was painted
pink,
based on the idea of combining the colors of the two political sectors at the
time -red for the federals and white for the unitaries-, and the resulting color
was pink, hence its popular name of "Casa Rosada” (Pink House). The
Granaderos, an elite army group with colorful uniforms, guard the building.
Cabildo:
Bolívar 65. Designed by Jesuit architect Andrés Blanqui in 1580, this was the
first government building in the city of Buenos Aires at the time it was
founded. As time went by, it underwent many changes and renovations from its
original construction. It is now a museum called "Museo Histórico Nacional del
Cabildo y la Revolución de Mayo" where a collection of old weapons are
displayed, as well as medals and garments from the time of the independence
(1816). It is open from Tuesday to Friday from 12:30pm to 7pm, and Sundays from
3pm to 7pm.
Cathedral:Av.Rivadavia and San Martín. This neoclassical
cathedral was built in the XVIII century and
is the resting place of Liberator General José de San Martín's ashes. San Martín
was one of the most important heroes in the history of Argentina. He led the
battles against Spanish armies that resulted in the country's independence.
Open 7 days a week.
May Pyramid (Pirámide de Mayo): Plaza
de Mayo. It dates from the
25th of May of 1811 and was the
first monument built in Buenos Aires
commemorating the revolution of
1810. It was later covered with bricks
increasing its size and adding a statue representing the "Republic" on the top,
and near the base it was surrounded by agriculture, commerce, science and art
related sculptures. The original
pyramid is in perfect conditions and is located in the inside of this one.
May Park (Plaza de Mayo): Balcarce &
Rivadavia. The Plaza de Mayo is
the country's
political center. It is located between the Cabildo and the Casa Rosada, and
has witnessed political and social demonstrations as well as national
celebrations.
May Avenue (Avenida de Mayo): This
avenue has been and still is the stage of social marches and political rallies
since it was designed at the end of the 19th century. Along its way there are
beautiful sumptuous buildings with big domes as well as artistic iron-works,
lion images and other forms of art.
Tortoni
Coffee House (Café Tortoni):
Avenida de Mayo 829. This Art Nouveau building was built in 1858, and it houses one of the oldest
literary cafes in the city and where tango and jazz bands still play at night.
Personalities such as Benito Quinquela Martín, Molina Campos, Raúl González
Tuñón, Alfonsina Storni, Jorge Luis Borges, Baldomero Fernández Moreno, Roberto
Arlt, José Ortega y Gasset among many others, have frequented this place.
General Post
Office
Av. Leandro N. Alem y Av. Corrientes. This classic French style building was
designed by French architect Norbert Maillar and inaugurated on 1928. The
recently renovated interior still houses the original equipment used for
customer service as well as very valuable vitreaux and a series of sculptures by
M.Fiot, M.Chirico and paintings by Bernaldo de Quirós and Lola Frexas.
Palace of Congres): Av. Entre Ríos, between Hipólito
Yrigoyen and Av. Rivadavia. This building houses the Argentine Congress
(Chambers of Deputies and Senators). The building was designed by Italian
architect Víctor Meano and it was inaugurated in 1906. Its exterior is
Greek-Roman, with a coating of white marble, Corinthian columns and decorated
edges.
Two Congresses Park (Plaza De Los Dos Congresos): Av. Entre Rios & Av. Rivadavia. This
plaza is comprised of a series of small squares, each one with a unique
monument, being the replica of Rodin's "The Thinker" the most famous. Other
monuments include the "Monument of the Two Congresses" that stands in the middle
of the main square, as well as sculptures of Ricardo Balbín and Mariano Moreno.
El Molino Coffee
House (Confitería El Molino):
Av. Rivadavia 1801. This legendary meeting place was designed by Italian
architect Francesco Teresio Gianotti and was built between 1914 and 1917. It has
a big dome, slated roofs with golden edges, square glasses and the still shafts
of a mill in the exterior. Its lounges gathered personalities of the social,
artistic, intellectual and political
life and witnessed innumerable displays of civic life and
of the institutional evolution of the Republic. The new Confitería del Molino
was declared National Historical Monument in 1997, but it is currently closed to
the public.
Monumental
Tower (Torre Monumental):
San Martín y Av. Libertador. This tower is located in
the center of the Plaza Britannia renamed Plaza Aeronáutica Argentina. It was
built by British residents in commemoration of the centennial of the Revolution
of May and was inaugurated on May 24, 1916. The company in charge of its
construction was "Hopkins & Gardom" and everything except for the sand and the
water, was brought from England. On its main door, it reads "al gran pueblo
argentino, los residentes Británicos, cheers, 25 de mayo 1810-1910" (To the
great Argentine people, the British residents, health, May 25 1810-1910"). The
tower changed its name from "Torre de los Ingleses" (The British
Tower) to “Torre Monumental” (Monumental Tower) after the Falklands war in 1982,
but people still refer to it as the Torre de los Ingleses.
Kavanagh Building: Florida 1065. This building, designed by the architects
Sánchez, Lagos and De la Torre, was the highest concrete structure in South
America when it was inaugurated in 1936. It has 32 floors and it is 120 meters
high.
Retiro Railway Terminal: Av. Ramos Mejía between Av. Libertador and Av.
Antártida Argentina. This is the most important railway station in Buenos Aires
and is the point of arrival and departure of more than 30 railway lines as well
as a stop for the C subway line. It was built in 1915 by British architect
Eustace Louriston Conder.
Plaza San Martín: Square between Av. Santa Fe, Av. del Libertador and San Martin
Street. It was known as the "Campo de la Gloria" (Battlefield of Glory) in the
early 1800's for being the place where the people of Buenos Aires heroically
defended themselves against the British invasion of 1807. This beautiful square
has a magnificent landscaping design and among its sculptures and monuments are
the "General José de San Martín Monument" and the "Monument Honoring the
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who died during the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands
war. This memorial is made up of 25 black marble plaques with the names those
who died in the war (l982).
Florida Street: This is the city's most famous pedestrian street and an
important commercial area where leather clothing, shoes, record stores and
numerous newsstands as well as restaurants and cafes light the street day and
night. Depending on the time of the day there can be many street artists
entertaining tourists with their tango dancing. We recommend that you visit the
"Galerías Pacifico" (Florida 753), one of the most elegant shopping centers in
the country, where a dome painted by prestigious artist Castagnino, decorates
its hall.
Santa Fé Avenue: This is a very modern and commercial
avenue focused on shopping. The most renowned stores are located along its way
as well as galleries and boutiques.
Basílica
Nuestra Señora del Pilar:Junin 1892, Plaza Recoleta. It was
built by the Jesuit monks in 1732 and it is one of the oldest churches in the
city.
Recoleta Cemetery: Junín and Avenida Quintana. It was
founded in 1822 by the Recoletos monks and it is internationally renowned for
having famous sculptures, tombs and mausoleums of illustrious political figures
and Argentine families. Among the sculptures there are numerous works by Lola
Mora and among the famous people buried here, are Eva Perón, Domingo Faustino
Sarmiento, Leandro Alem, Hipólito Yrigoyen, Elpidio González, Juan M. De Rosas,
Facundo Quiroga, Bartolomé Mitre and Arturo Ilia, among others. Open 7 days a
week.
Recoleta
Cultural Center:Junin 1930. This building was built in
1732 and it was, originally, a convent connected to the Basílica del Pilar.
Today, it is a cultural center with 25 auditoriums that accommodates paintings,
sculptures and photographs in different exhibitions.
Obelisk:
Av. 9 de Julio & Av. Corrientes. This 67 meters high obelisk, designed by
Argentine
architect Alberto Prebisch, was built and inaugurated in 1936 and commemorates
four historical moments related to the city; each one of them is engraved on the
sides of the obelisk: 1. The 4th centennial of the city's foundation by Pedro de
Mendoza, 2. The place where the Argentine flag fluttered for the first time. 3.
The proclamation of the City as the Federal Capital of the country and 4. The
second foundation of the city by Juan de Garay.
Plaza de La República: Intersection of Av. 9 de Julio & Av. Corrientes. The tiny
plaza suffered many renovations since it was designed. It is very famous for
being the meeting place of many Argentineans for different national celebrations
such as the victory of the football national team.
9 de Julio Avenue: This 120 meter (400
feet) wide and 2,600 meter (8,500 feet) long avenue, is considered the widest
avenue in the world. There are numerous coffee shops and neon signs along its
way, as well as the Obelisk and heavy traffic.
Corrientes Avenue: This avenue lies from East to West and
in its intersection with the Avenida 9 de Julio it crosses the Obelisk Close to
this intersection, there is concentration of theaters, book stores, cafes and
restaurants.
Lavalle Street: This street concentrates a large number
of movie theaters
as well as restaurants and cafes that remain open until late hours.
Plaza Lavalle: Viamonte & Talcahuano.
Like many other squares in the city, this one was originally a public market in
1822 and after the commercial activities stopped, it was landscaped and named
Plaza
Lavalle (1878). This green space has a variety of species of plants and trees,
as well as the fountain "La Fuente de los Bailarines" which depicts two ballet
dancers and it honors the dancers killed in an accident in 1971. Across the
street from the Plaza, stands the Court of Justice Building whose construction
started around 1905
Colón Theater:
Cerrito 608. This theater was inaugurated on the May 25, 1908 and is the most
important lyric theater in Latin America. Its facade shows strong influences of
Italian renaissance and the interior's dome was painted by Raúl Soldi (world
renowned Argentine artist) in 1966. Its schedule includes opera, ballet and
classical music concerts and it also houses the Ballet School where famous
dancers like Julio Bocca, Maximiliano Guerra and Paloma Herrera attended.
Plaza
Constitución: Av. Caseros & Lima. This was the place of the city's fruit market
in 1859. Nowadays, its the passage of thousands of porteños who arrive at the
Constitución Railway Station from the suburbs.
San Telmo: This neighborhood was populated by
aristocratic families towards the end of the 19th century. After the yellow
fever the big mansions that belonged to high class families, became squats or "conventillos"
where large numbers of people lived. Nowadays, its a neighborhood with narrow
streets, colonial patios and with a bohemian smell in the air. There are art
schools and arts and crafts fair as well as tango-show places.
El Viejo Almacén: Balcarce
y Av. Independencia. This old "Country Store" dates back to 1798, but it wasn't
until 1969 that Edmundo Rivero made it the "Temple of Tango“. The biggest names
in this genre like Aníbal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese and Roberto Goyeneche,
among many others, have played and sung under this roof. The interior was
recently renovated and it now holds tango shows seven days a week where the
classic tangos like "Caminito",
"El día que me quieras"
and "Mi Buenos Aires Querido" are played. while enjoying a delicious dinner.
Canto al Trabajo Sculpture: Av. Paseo Colón & Av. Independencia. This sculpture,
done by Rogelio Yrurtia, symbolizes the work effort expressed by 14 bronze
workers who drag a large stone.
Block of Lights (Manzana de las Luces): Perú 272. In colonial
times, this block housed the first public school, university and library, hence
the name "Block of Lights". During the Spanish ruling the school was called
"Real College De San Carlos" and provided education to illustrious personalities
like Belgrano, Saavedra, Moreno, Paso, Las Heras, Dorrego and Rivadavia, among
others. The magnificent San Ignacio Church, of baroque architecture, was built
by the Jesuits and finished in 1722 and it is the oldest church in Buenos Aires.
Another attractive site at his location are the mysterious tunnels dug in the
XVIII century. It is assumed that they were dug with defensive intentions, but
it is not discarded that they may have been dug smuggling. According to some
theories, many experts agree that these tunnels linked the Cabildo and/or the
Cathedral , with other churches. In the present time, the "Manzana de las Luces"
is a cultural center that hold workshops, art exhibitions, theater, movies, and
children's shows, as well as a souvenir store.
For more information visit
www.manzanadelasluces.gov.ar/historia.html.
San Telmo Market:
Defensa 961. This building made by architect Juan Antonio Buschiazzo, opened its
doors in 1897 and it is the last of its type in the city. It was originally a
community food market but in the present it is mainly an antique and regional
product market.
Plaza
Dorrego:Defensa y Humberto
1º. This square is considered a "National Historical Place" because on July 9,
1816, a multitude got together to celebrate the independence of the country that
was signed in Tucumán. Nowadays, it is the home of “Antiques Fair of San Telmo”
held every Sunday from 10am to 5 pm where, among the antique sales, there are
street artists performances that entertain tourists as well as locals.
San Ignacio De Loyola Church: Bolívar 225. This is the oldest colonial church in
Buenos Aires, built between 1710 and 1734, and famous for having been a place of
resistance during the British invasions of 1806.
Fragata Sarmiento:
Pier 3, Puerto Madero. This ship is the maritime symbol of Argentina and used to
be the training ship for Argentine Navy students during their graduation year.
It is currently a museum. Open
Hours 2pm-10pm daily.
Puerto Madero:
Alicia Moreau de Justo and Av. Cordoba. The original docks and warehouses of the
port of the Río de la Plata river were recently renovated and turned into wide,
modern and colorful shopping area with movie theaters, restaurants, five star
hotels, and top of the line office buildings.
South Riverside Drive (Costanera Sur): Avenida Costanera Sur, by the Rio de La
Plata. This recently renovated area is a classic public walk where, on weekends,
it gets crowded with families, bikers, joggers, arts and crafts fairs and street
artists performances. You can also try eating the classic "choripan" (sausage
sandwich) as well as other snacks. We recommend that you walk by the sculpture
"Las Nereidas" by Lola Mora.
Caminito: La Boca neighborhood, near
the Riachuelo. The famous “Caminito” is a one block long pedestrian street
without sidewalks where all the
houses are made of metal sheets, painted in different colors and have many
windows and balconies. Along the street;
arts and crafts vendors, as well a painters and tango dancers show their
abilities to visitors and tourists. The name of the street was inspired by a
famous tango called “Caminito” written in 1926 by Gabino Coria Peñaloza and Juan
de Dios Filiberto.
Parque Lezama: Defensa
& Av. Leandro Alem. This park is considered by historians as the place where the
first mud-houses were built by Pedro de Mendoza's expeditionaries in 1536. It is
now a public green area with fountains and sculptures and where one of the
biggest arts and crafts fairs take place on weekends.
Russian Orthodox
Church Av. Paseo Colón and Brasil, across from Parque Lezama. This Muscovite
style church was inaugurated in 1904 and it has five turquoise onion domes with
one cross held by chains. In the facade there are three windows with vitreaux
glass art that represent different biblical scenes.
Botanical Garden: Av. Santa Fe 3951. This garden, located in Palermo, was
designed by French landscaper Carlos Thays and was inaugurated in 1908. It has
numerous statues, fountains, and approximately 7,000 species of plants and trees
from all over the world in a 7 hectares of green in the middle of the city.
Inside the garden there is a museum, a library, an art-noveau greenhouse and a
gardening school.
Japanese
Garden: Intersection of Av. Casares & Figueroa Alcorta. It was designed and
built by Isakari (engineer) Yatsuo Inomata (painter) in 1979. It is a classic
Japanese style site with many trees, plants, artificial lakes and wooden
bridges. Admission: $2.
Zoo: Avenidas
Sarmiento and Las Heras, Plaza Italia. This 18 hectare zoo was designed by
French landscaper Carlos Thays and built in 1874. It was founded by president
Sarmiento in 1875 and it now houses a great variety of animal species. It has
temple pavilions and replicas of La Venus de Milo and Bachus. The animal cages
were constructed in the style of the animals origin. There are more than 300
species of birds, mammals and reptiles. From penguins to tigers, monkeys and
zebras. This is a also good opportunity to see native animals like: alpacas,
guanacos, llamas y vicunas. Open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10am to 5pm,
Saturdays and Sundays from 10am a 3:30pm. Admission free for children under 13
years old.
Bosques de Palermo:
Av. Casares and Av. Libertador. This forest of 25 hectares constitute the city's
lung. It has three artificial
lakes, a flower haven and many gardens like the famous "Garden of the Poets"
where there are sculptures of famous writers like William Shakespeare, Paul
Groussac, Alfonsina Storni, Dante Alighieri, Federico García Lorca and Antonio
Machado, among others. This is a great place for family walks, exercising,
meditation and contemplation of nature. During summer time it is usually
crowded and many weekend events are organized by the city to entertain families
and groups of friends. This green area is surrounded by the Avenida del
Libertador where main high rise buildings as well as embassies and top level
businesses and stores are located.
Racetrack: Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo:Av.
Libertador 4105. This racetrack was inaugurated on the May 7, 1876 and it is
famous for its design and, of course, for its horse races. It also houses a
museum. The "Slippery Horse" (el Caballo Resbaloso) was the name of the horse
that won the first race in this race track, before 10,000 spectators.
Galileo Galilei Planetarium: Av. Sarmiento and Av. Belisario Roldán.
It was built in 1966 by Enrique Jan and nowadays is the most important channel
of astronomic promotion in the country. Laser shows of stars and constellations
are projected on the interior of its dome. The first projection took place on
December 19, 1966, on the 150th anniversary of the independence. $ 4.
Seniors and minors of 5 years free.
www.planetario.gov.ar
Monument
of the Spaniards (Monumento
de Los Españoles: Avenidas
Sarmiento and Libertador.
Its real name is Carta Magna and the Four Argentine Regions, but it is better
known as El Monumento de los Españoles, because it was a gift from the Spanish
community. It is made of marble and bronze and the top sculpture represents the
"Republic". It was built by sculptor Agustín Querol y Subirats.
Plaza Italia:
Av Santa Fe & Jorge L. Borges. This is a strategic point in the city, where
thousands of people come and go via subway, railway, buses, taxis and hundreds
of cars. It is a very busy commercial area and it also connects the Sociedad
Rural, the Zoo and the Botanical Garden through its square. In the center of the
square stands the Garibaldi monument, inaugurated on June 19, 1904.
Palermo Hollywood: Between Juan B. Justo, Niceto Vega,
Dorrego and Paraguay Streets. This area of Palermo neighborhood has taken the
name "Hollywood" because
there are many TV and film studios and productions companies; and it is also the
favorite place for many artists. In the surroundings of the Julio Cortazar
Plaza, aka "La Placita”, there are numerous pubs, restaurants, discotheques,
art galleries, design stores and bars that hold alternative theater shows.
Statue of Liberty Av. Juramento y Av. Luis María Campos, Barrancas de Belgrano.
This is a small replica of New York City's Statue of Liberty built by French
artist Bertholdi.
North Riverside
Drive (Costanera Norte):
Avenida Costanera. By the Río de la Plata, near the
aeroparque, there can be found the famous restaurants or “Carritos" (small
carts). This name is based on the fact that in old times there were carts driven
by horses that sold food in this area. Today, these "carritos" are a number of
beautiful restaurants that sell the best argentine meat as well as international
food.
Plaza Miserere: Av. Rivadavia & Av. Pueyrredón. This was the meeting place of
the troops who fought to reconquer the city occupied by the British in 1806,
and also where the troops of Liniers were defeated during the second British
invasion in 1807. In the center of the square stands Bernardino
Rivadavia's
mausoleum, built in 1932. This area
is now known as "Plaza Once".
Mataderos
Fair: Av. Lisandro de La Torre and Av. De Los Corrales,
Mataderos neighborhood. This fair represents the cultural roots of Argentina. It
was initiated in 1986 and it includes arts and crafts, regional foods
(empanadas, home-made wine and locro - corn & meat), as well as tango and folk
dances. There are also horse ring races, and other genuine regional activities.
Sundays and Holidays from 11am to 8pm, highly recommended.
Curso de actualizacion de
administradores de consc
Roberto O. Cacheiro Frías.
Abogado UBA - Director
de la Diplomatura en Relaciones Internacionales y de Administración
de Consorcios - Presidente del Centro Ibero-Americano de Estudios
Internacionales e Interdisciplinarios - Miembro
de la Asociación Argentina de Derecho
Internacional
- Miembro del Tribunal de Disciplina del Partido Demócrata
Cristiano.