The name of the neighborhood was given in honor to Nuestra Señora de Monserrat, a virgin venerated in Cataluña. The replica of the original image was hidden in Barcelona, among the mountains, in order to shield it from the Muslims. One hundred years later, when the Virgina and the child were found, they were dark, due to the passing of time. In consequence, the Virgin was named “La Moreneta” or “La Morenita” (the dark Virgin), due to its color. The black settlers that inhabited Buenos Aires at that time did processions every September, 8th.
This neighborhood, located at the east of the port, is also known as “Barrio del Tambor” (Neighborhood of the Drum), due to the small drums the porteño Negroes played, making up different groups such as Cabunda, Banguela, Mondongo and Angola. Despite the Negro race has disappeared in Argentina, they have left a tradition such as the carnivals where they used to dance their cheerful African dances and from where musicians such as Grigera and Bernardo Pintos emerged.
The entire history of the city and the country can be seen in the light of the buildings and squares that have turned into Historical Monuments. Since its origins, Monserrat is a Spanish neighborhood whose immigrants settled mainly in Avenida de Mayo (May Avenue) and also in Belgrano and Rivadavia Avenues.
Nowadays, the neighborhood concentrates important offices, banks, coffee shops, hotels, shops and restaurants.
Plaza de Mayo (May Square)
Founded by Juan de Garay for the second time in 1850, this is the original nucleus of the history city center, where the grid of the city was outlined. This square was witness of the main historical events.
In its beginnings, the main square was placed in this area, and then the parade ground. Later, they would surround the Main Church, the Town Council and the Fort among other buildings that were modified, replaced and built over the years.
In 1803 a gallery was built, known nowadays as the “Recova Vieja” (Old Arcade) that crossed the square dividing it in two parts. One was named Plaza de la Victoria (Victory Square) and the other kept the name Plaza de Armas (parade ground), also called Plaza del Fuerte (Fort square). After 1810, it received the name Plaza 25 de Mayo (May 25th square).
In 1884 the renowned Old Arcade was demolished in order to join the Government House with the Palace of the National Congress. Due to road and landscaping works, the Pirámide de Mayo (May Pyramid), which had been built in 1811, was moved to the center of Plaza de Mayo. No doubt, this area, since the viceroyalty period, has suffered endless changes until it turned into just one square.
Nowadays, the square is surrounded by buildings that belong to different periods: The Casa Rosada (The Pink House) and the seat of the City of Buenos Aires Government dates back to the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. The Cabildo (Town Council) and the Pirámide de Mayo (May Pyramid) belong to the colonial period, as well as the interior of the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The square is framed by Hipólito Yrigoyen, Balcarce, Bolívar and Rivadavia streets. The landscape artist Carlos Thays was in charge of the remodeling of this area, giving the city a unique scenic architecture. The palm trees were brought from Brazil and the swallows that fly over the historical square come from the countries situated at the north of South America and they arrive in September, with the beginning of spring.
(Nearest subway station: Plaza de Mayo – Line A)
Pirámide de Mayo (May Pyramid)
Its original name was “Columna del 25 de Mayo” (May 25th Column). While some recognized it as an obelisk, the people considered it as a pyramid representing the first patriotic monument of the territory, erected to commemorate the first anniversary of the May Revolution and the events of 1810 in relation to the country’s emancipation from the Spanish crown.
The brick structure was built by Francisco Cañete in 1811, over a three-stair base. Then, in 1856, Prilidiano Pueyrredón remodels it, adding relief to its façades and four statues in each corner of the pedestal and a cusp representing Liberty, designed by the French sculptor Joseph Dubourdieu.
In 1878, the four statues of the corners were replaced by marble figures and, in 1884, after the demolition of the Recova Vieja (Old Arcade), the statues are removed from the base and the pyramid is placed in the center of Plaza de Mayo, surrounded by palm trees.
(Nearest subway station: Plaza de Mayo – Line A)
Estatua Ecuestre de Manuel Belgrano (“Manuel Belgrano” Equestrian Statue)
It is placed facing the Government House, in one end of Plaza de Mayo.
The monument, with the national hero Manuel Belgrano raising the flag he himself created, is a work by the French sculptor Albert Carrier-Belleuse; and the bronze horse Belgrano is riding, is a work of the Argentine Manuel de Santa Coloma.
(Nearest subway station: Plaza de Mayo – Line A)
Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral)
It is situated in the area that was assigned to Iglesia Mayor (Main Church) in 1580, in the second foundation of the city, in the intersection of San Martín St. and Rivadavia Av. From the corner of Hipólito Yrigoyen and Bolívar streets, you get an interesting perspective of its different styles. The cathedral was rebuilt six times since its origins, and it is the most important catholic church of the city.
In its exterior, you will see the colonnade of classic style and a cupola that emerges from behind and belongs to baroque art. The twelve columns that represent Jesus’ apostles support a boarding sculpted in 1863 by the French Jospeh Dubourdieu and it represents the Meeting of Jacob with his Son Joseph in Egypt. Jacob and Joseph are placed in the center of the work and the subject matter was chosen as a reconciliation and national unity between the provinces of the country and the porteños after the San José de Flores pact was signed in 1859, through which Buenos Aires joined the Confederation and sworn the 1853 Constitution.
The everlasting flame that emerges from the votive lamp located at the front, besides the first column beginning from the right, recalls the memory of the general José de San Martín (1778-1850), hero of the Independence.
San Martín organized and commanded from Mendoza province a bold offensive to the Spanish army, still strong in Chile, with the aid of the Mapuches and Pehuenches, who deceived the Spanish convincing them that the patriot forces would only attack in the south of Chile. But, after crossing the Andes mountain range in less than a month through four different passes, the Andes Army defeated the Royalists in the northern area of the mountain range and ensured Chile’s independence with one of the most strategic achievements related to the war of Latin American independence. Later, San Martín and his army sailed for Perú where he declared the independence of another Latin American nation and, finally, displeased with the unity civil conflicts that reigned in the country, the hero sailed for Europe and stayed there until the end of his days, settling in France. For Argentineans, the Saint of the Sword, as he was named, symbolized humbleness, disinterestedness and 100% courage.
In its interior, the Metropolitan Cathedral presents valuable ornamentations, such as the high altar done in 1780, in a rococo style, predominant gin the city towards the end of the 18th century; and the carob tree carved figure of Christ that dates back to 1671.
In the high altar and the golden altarpiece were created by the wood carver Isidro Lorea in 1789, the image is of Nuestra Señora de Buenos Aires, and the current altar, that was finished in 1999, is a work by the silversmith Carlos Pallarols.
In the nave a cupola is distinguished over the transept. It is a work of the Italian artist Parisi in 1899.
General San Martin’s mausoleum dates from 1880, with majesty features typical of the French Alberto Ernest Carrier Belleuse, above all in the marble pieces. The three feminine figures that embrace the pedestal represent the countries San Martín and his army fought for their independence: the figure at the front represents Argentina, the one at the left represents Chile and the one at the right represents Perú. Inside you will also find the graves of the generals Guido and Las Heras and the symbolic Unknown Soldier.
The organ the temple hosts is German and dates back to 1871, and its tubes are equal to an acoustic power of an orchestra composed of hundreds of musicians.
The floor that extends all along the cathedral is made of mosaic and it is a work worth admiring due to its religious motifs.
There are also Renaissance frescos by the Italian Pablo Parisi, the Sacrarium Chapel of fine marbles and bronze, among other details, keeping images of great interest.
Its entrance is in 27 San Martín street. There are guided visits from Mondays to Fridays at 1:30 pm; on Saturdays at 11:30 am and on Sundays at 10 am. The changing of the guard of the grenadiers is performed in San Martin’s Mausoleum every working day at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm and on Saturdays at 9 am, 11 am, 5 pm and 7 pm. Tel: 4331-2845.
(Nearest subway stations: Perú - Line A; Catedral - Line D; Bolívar - Line E)
Government House
Located in 50 Balcarce St., there is a Renaissance building that used to be a fort in its beginnings (1595) and then a Customs House (1855). Later, one of its sectors was demolished in order to build up a building for the General Post Office (1873), while the other area was part of the Government House.
In 1882, the area facing the General Post Office was pulled down and the House of Government was renovated and then took full possession of the building that belonged to the Post Office. The renovation work was in hands of the Italian architect Francisco Tamburini and when he died, in 1891, the architect Juan Antonio Buschiazzo was left in charge of the construction work. Even though the four façades that form the Casa Rosada (Spanish for “Pink House”) present differences, in overall it keeps a certain harmony.
The building of Casa Rosada was finished in 1894 and was officially inaugurated in 1898 during the second presidency of Julio Argentino Roca.
The huge building was the seat of the Argentine government since the Primera Junta in 1810 (“First Junta”, the first government of Argentina after the May revolution). Its pink color is due to the decision of President Sarmiento, who, in 1873, had it painted and since this moment it is called “Casa Rosada” (Pink House) or simply “La Rosada” (the Pink One). It is said that Sarmiento chose this color to symbolize the union of the political sectors during his presidency (1868 - 1874)). Red was the distinctive color used for the Federales, led by Juan Manuel de Rosas and the light blue was used to distinguish their adversaries, the Unitarios (or, in other versions, the white of the Autonomous Party led by Sarmiento, a branch of the Unitarios). One last version relates the pink color with the ox blood pigments, which apparently had waterproof properties to resist the damp weather of the city.
From the façade facing Paseo Colón Av. you will see an interesting sculptural group that represents the republic surrounded by Work, Agriculture, Science, Commerce and Industry, a work by the Italian Carlos Bianchi, from 1891.
In its interior, with a varied and rich ornamentation, you will find the beautiful Salón Blanco (White Hall), where the presidential inaugurations take place, among other solemn ceremonies. From the roof of this hall chandelier with 192 lamps hangs. The roof was painted by the Italian artist Luis de Servi. A marble bust representing the Republic, a work by the Italian sculptor Ettore Ximenez, together with the National Coat of Arms preside the majestic Salón Blanco.
The “Patio de las Palmeras o de la Presidencia” (Palm Trees or Presidency Courtyard) is the main open space in the interior of this presidential palace. Here, you will find: a fountain from the French house Du Val D´Osne, acquired in 1910, as a commemoration of the centenary of the May Revolution; and the Busts Gallery, where there are busts of all Argentine presidents. The busts are made of marble and done by talented Argentine artists such as Lucio Correa Morales, Lola Mora, Alberto Lagos and José Fioravanti, among others. There is a wooden-carved elevator, used by the President and his retinue or by special visitors, and it was donated by the Infanta Isabel from Spain in 1910. The exterior balcony, in Hipólito Yrigoyen St., has a long history from 1901, when President Julio A. Roca appears for the first time and later president Juan D. Perón would make a symbol of this action, with popular presentations until 1974.
You can go on guided visits from Monday to Friday at 3 pm and 5 pm. It is advisable to first call at 4344-3802 and you will have to present documentation such as passport for foreign residents ID card for Argentine citizens.
The traditional ceremony of changing of the guard is performed every day from 7 am to 7 pm every two hours.
Casa Rosada was declared National Historical Monument in 1942.
Government House Museum
The museum is situated at 219 Hipólito Yrigoyen Street. It was created in 1957 and you will find furniture, art works, uniforms, medals and other elements that have to do with the governments and presidencies of the country, since the period of the second foundation of the city in 1580 up to the present time. There are underground galleries, reaching 46 feet deep down and some lead to Paseo Colón Avenue. These galleries belonged to the old 1595 Fort and the 1855 New Customs House, which had been uncovered during demolition and construction works in 1942.
The New Customs House, located behind the Casa Rosada, is also called Taylor Customs House, because it was built by the English architect Edward Taylor, with bricks and in the neocolonial style. Besides, it had a tower that was used as a lighthouse and a practical wooden quay that penetrated into the river, thus allowing loading and unloading goods without having to get the carriages into the water.
The ruins of the Customs House are seen when you leave the Museum through Hipólito Yrigoyen St., and walking around 20 m to the renowned Colón Square, where you will find the monument in honor of Cristóbal Colón.
The guided visits are from Mondays to Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm, and on Sundays from 3 pm to 4.30 pm.
(Nearest subway station: Plaza de Mayo – Line A)
Cristóbal Colón Monument
Near the House of Government, there is a semicircular square called Plaza Colón, where you will see the monument in honor of the great sailor and discoverer of the American Continent in 1942, Cristóbal Colón. The monument is made of Carrara marble. It is surrounded by Paseo Colón and de la Rábida Avenues and it was a present from the Italian community in Argentina’s first centenary in 1910, in commemoration of the May Revolution. The work was made by the Italian sculptor A. Zocchi.
Juan de Garay Statue
Near the Government House you will also find the Juan de Garay Statue, located in a circular small square named “11 de Junio de 1580”, in L.N. Alem Avenue. This monument was erected in honor of Juan de Garay, who was the second founder of the city of Buenos Aires in 1580.
The work, which belongs to the German artist Eberlein, is located near the area where the city was founded for the second time and it represents this event.
(Nearest subway station: Plaza de Mayo – Line A)
Banco de la Nación Argentina (National Bank)
The colossal building is located in the intersection of Rivadavia and Reconquista streets. In its beginnings, it was venue of the Colón Theater, inaugurated in 1857 by its financer and designer Carlos Enrique Pellegrini. Finally, in 1988 the theater moved to the stunning building located next to Lavalle Square.
The building has been the central office of the National Bank since 1888 and stands out due to its stunning façade. In its interior, it presents a noble style, with materials and ornaments that belong to the 19th century, worth admiring.
The Bank hosts a great art collection, a Historical and Numismatic Museum and an Art Gallery called “Alejandro Bustillo”, the name of its creator.
In 1939, the talented architect Bustillo was in charge of the monumental construction of the new building and he designed all the details including the transparent cupola made of concrete and glass. The floors are of granite and in the galleries and main office there are mahogany and cedar coatings.
The Bank, designed by Bustillo, stands out due to the magnitude of its sizes and its front with the great classical portico. It is located in 325 Rivadavia St. The entrance to visit the Historical and Numismatic Museum is located in 25 de Mayo and Bartolomé Mitre Streets, from Mondays to Fridays from 10 am to 3 pm.
(Nearest subway stations: Perú – Line A; Catedral – Line D, Bolívar – Line E)
El Cabildo (The Town Council)
The town councils used to be the seat of local governments and played a key role as regards control, economy, police and justice, according to the importance of the city.
The Cabildo of Buenos Aires was built in 1610 in a poor style. Then, in 1725, a two-floor building was built, with a balcony and a tower, apart from a meeting room, a chapel, offices for judges and cells for prisoners. No doubt, this building holds in its interior the remains of the earlier Argentine political life, as it was the seat of the City Government during the colonial period and here the first session of the national government (known as the “Primera Junta patria”) took place in May, 25th, 1810.
It is located in 65 Bolívar St. and was used from 1580 to 1821. From its beginnings, it suffered some changes and one of the most important ones was in 1725.
The 1725 remodeling was projected by the Jesuit architect Andrés Bianchi, with a style that resembled the model of the medieval Spanish town halls.
Nowadays the Cabildo counts with a Museum that evokes the may Revolution of 1810, the English Invasions of 1806 and 1807 and a Design and Urban Crafts Fair. The building is guarded by the Regimiento de Patricios (Patricios” Regiment), dating back to 1806 and is the oldest regiment of the country.
It is very interesting to visit to this historical building. In its interior, its halls exhibit many objects and original pieces from the Viceroyalty period to the 1810 May Revolution, and the Religious Art Hall, the English Invasions Hall and the May and Independence Hall are worth visiting.
You can visit this place from Tuesdays to Fridays from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm and on Sundays from 3 pm to 7 pm. There are also guided visits at 4 pm and a Crafts Fair on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 6 pm. The changing of the guard takes place the last Tuesday of each month as from May 22nd, at 6:30 pm.
If you have any doubt, please fell free to cal at 4334-1782.
The Cabildo of Buenos Aires has been declared National Historical Monument.
(Nearest subway Stations: Bolívar – Line E, Perú – Line A, Catedral – Line D)
Manzana de las Luces
The Manzana de las Luces (Light’s Block) circuit is called this way because in this block there are many places that possess a significant old tradition and history as regards the intellectual and cultural development of the country. This block is comprised by Alsina, Bolívar, Moreno, Perú and Julio A. Roca streets.
The house of studies “Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires”, created in 1863 by Bartolomé Mitre, is located in this area, where many intellectuals and men of letters that were part of the political and cultural life of the country studied. Among them, the most important political figures of the country that attended this school were Manuel Dorrego, Manuel Belgrano, Alfredo L. Palacios, Aníbal Ibarra and Felipe Solá; also the presidents Bernardino Rivadavia, Vicente López y Planes, Justo José de Urquiza, Carlos Pellegrini, Roque Sáenz Peña, Marcelo T. de Alvear and the vice-president Julio A. Roca. Uriburu and Justo, military men, also went to this solemn school. Other important figures were pupils of this school such as the writers Esteban Echeverría and Marco Denevi; the musicians Roberto Caamaño and Lalo Schifrin; the renowned physicist Juan José Giambiagi; the physicians and investigators José Mordoh and Julio González Montaner; the economist Roberto Alemann; the football player Victorio Spinetto and the renowned cartoonist Caloi.
The school “Colegio Nacional Buenos Aires” is located in the corner of Bolivar and Moreno Streets, in the area where the first school of the city founded by the Jesuits in the 18th century was established. The building as it stands today was projected by the architect Norberto Maillart in 1918, with a French academic style.
This secondary school is accountable to the University of Buenos Aires since 1911 and is highly prestigious. In 1925 the German scientist, Albert Einstein, gave a lesson in the main hall of this famous school.
Since 1936 it counts with an astronomy observatory, which was remodeled in 1983; a swimming pool and a micro cinema dating back 1938; a library with more than 100,000 books from the 16th century to date and a luxurious assembly room inspired in the main hall of the Paris Opera in France.
The renowned church “Iglesia de San Ignacio” is situated in this block, in the corner of Bolívar and Alsina streets and is one of the oldest churches of the city of Buenos Aires.
The tower of the church, at the left, was built in the 18th century and the building of the tower located at the right was finished in the middle of the 19th century. Its interior, designed according to Jesuit lines, has just one nave and the rococo-style high altar, carved between 1757 and 1767, is a work of the Isidro Lorea.
In 1821, during an act held in this Catholic Church, the University of Buenos Aires was created. In its beginnings, the University of Buenos Aires functioned in the building of the school Nacional Buenos Aires, from 1821 to 1823.
When the religious order was expelled in 1767 by the King of Spain, the block and its surroundings kept the intellectual and cultural development of the city and the first printer’s press was established in this area, as well as the Public Record Office, the Public Library, the University, the Faculty of Law, of Architecture and the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the Natural History Museum, among other institutions.
The “Mercado de las Luces” (lights’ market) is situated in the Roca (Diagonal Sur) Av., between Alsina and Perú streets. It is a picturesque place where you will find an antiques and handicrafts exhibition. The entrance is free and it is open from Sundays to Fridays.
In the renowned “Manzana de las Luces”, in order to visit the school “Nacional Buenos Aires”, the entrance is in 263 Bolívar St. To visit the Church “San Ignacio de Loyola”, the entrance is in 263 Bolívar St. or in 520 Adolfo Alsina St. and to visit the “Mercado de las Luces”, the access is in 600 Julio A. Roca Av. (Diagonal Sur).
Apart from the buildings that have a strong connection with the history and culture of the country, you can also visit with a tourist guide the Colonial or Hispanic Tunnels used in the 18th century, which used to join the Fort with the Town Council and the main churches built in that period.
You can hire the tour “Manzana de las Luces and its Tunnels” in the institution "Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas de la Manzana de las Luces", situated in 272 Perú St. There are several tours, such as:
- From Mondays to Fridays at 3.00 pm (a walk around the Manzana de las Luces and the Hispanic Tunnels)
- Saturdays at 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm (Casas Virginales of 1782, House of Representatives and Buenos Aires Legislature, Hispanic Tunnels of 1700)
- Saturdays and Sundays at 4.30 pm (a walk through the Jesuit buildings such as the Church, the primitive cloister of the San Ignacio School, the Misiones Attorney’s Office, and the Hispanic Tunnels of 1700)
- Sundays at 3.00 pm (the façade of the of the first building of the Buenos Aires University of 1821, The French Palace of the Nacional Buenos Aires School and Hispanic Tunnels of 1700)
- Sundays at 6.00 pm (Casas Virginales of 1782, House of Representatives and Buenos Aires Legislature, Hispanic Tunnels of 1700)
In the “Manzana de las Luces” there is a commemorative plaque of the distinguished legislator, tribune and statesman Adolfo Alsina (1829-1877). He was a national representative (1862-1865), governor of Buenos Aires (1866-1868), vice-president (1868-1874) and finally he held the post of War and Navy Minister (1874-1877).
You can call directly to the “Manzana de las Luces” at the following numbers: 4342-3964 / 4342-6973 / 4343-3260. The admission for the different tours is free for children under 6 years old and the meeting point is 15 minutes before the time of the visit.
From the institution "Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas de la Manzana de las Luces", located in 272 Perú St., the permanent exhibitions held in this historical area are the following:
- “Cuatro Siglos de Historia” (Four Centuries of History): banners with the historical and building evolution
- Lola Frexas Exhibition: watercolor paintings that represent the historical buildings of the site
- Tribute to Argentine Plastic Artists: works of Benedit, Brizzi, Cañas, Demirjián, Frexas, García Uriburu, Gorriarena, Minujín, Noé, Pérez Célis, Polesello, Puente, Robirosa, Roux, Segúi, Szabó, Testa y Vidal.
- “Museo de Sitio Galería Histórica de Arte de San Ignacio” (Museum Historical Art Gallery of san Ignacio): pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries belonging to the Jesuit Church.
Around the renowned “Manzana de las Luces”, there are several picturesque restaurants, coffee shops and pizzerias apart from parking lots, especially in Bolívar and Moreno streets.
Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City)
It is located in 412 Alsina St. You should visit this museum if you are interested in getting to know how city life developed during the colonial period. The museum is open on working days from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm and on Sundays from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
In the first floor of the building, in the intersection of Alsina and Defensa streets, the old drugstore “La Estrella” is situated, keeping its original style dating back to 1900, with its walnut wood-carved shelving and the paintings in its roof, with health, pharmacopoeia and sickness motifs.
Near this museum, in 183 Defensa St., there is a two-story building with the traditional colonial viewpoint, which was used to catch sight of the ships and possible pirate ships. This building is known as the “Altos de Altolaguirre”.
Casa de Bernardino Rivadavia (Bernardino Rivadavia’s House)
Bernardino Rivadavia (1780-1845) was born and lived in this old house, situated in 350 and 360 Defensa St. The colonial-style house preserves elements from the 18th century, in spite of the changes it suffered. Bernardino Rivadavia was elected president of the United Provinces of the River de la Plata in 1826.
Convento Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Convent)
The convent was declared National Historical Monument. Two columns stand out: one at the left built in 1807, which bears bulletholes from canyons belonging to the period of the English Invasions; the column at the right was rebuilt in 1856.
In the interior of the convent, in the lateral nave at the left, you will find elements such as flags and other battle emblems seized by Santiago de Liniers and Manuel Belgrano in the triumphal battles for the fight for independence from the Spanish Crown.
The organ of this convent is one of the most important of the city and it has been used in different concerts.
The mausoleum General Manuel Belgrano is located in this convent. Manuel Belgrano was one of the most important leaders of the Independence movement. He commanded the North Army and created the national flag. The mausoleum was built in 1897 by the Italian sculptor Ettore Ximenez.
Manuel Belgrano (1770-1820) was also a military man, lawyer and statesman who was born and died in the house located in Belgrano Av. and Defensa St., where the Calmer building is situated.
The Convent is placed in Belgrano Av. and Defensa St. Tel: 4331-1668
El Café Tortoni (Tortoni Café)
This is one of the most important and oldest cafés in Buenos Aires. It was inaugurated in 1858. With an art noveau decoration, it is a work by the Norwegian architect Alejandro Chistophersen.
Different outstanding figures used to visit this café: Quinquela Martín, Alfonsina Storni, Roberto Arlt, Marinetti, Arthur Rubinstein, Marcelo T. de Alvear, Alfredo Palacios, Lola Membrives, Leopoldo Lugones, Emilio Pettorutti, Jorge Luis Borges, Josephine Baker and Carlos Gardel, among others. Its basement is open to culture, exchange of opinions, reading activities and the intense smell of coffee. Every week there are tango and jazz shows.
The historical and traditional café is situated in 829 de mayo Av. and it keeps its original setting, with a pool hall and a library. Many local and international artists, writers, musicians and poets visited and will surely visit this emblem of the city. In the second floor of this building you find the National Academy of Tango.
Avenida de Mayo (May Avenue)
This Avenue represents one of the most successful urban and architectural areas of the city, with important buildings. Inaugurated in 1894, its buildings give evidence of the architecture of the city of Buenos Aires from the last decade of the 19th century and the first three decades of the 20th century.
This historical and colorful avenue joins the House of Government (the Casa Rosada; in English, pink house) and Plaza de Mayo (May square) with the Congreso Nacional (House of Representatives) and Plaza del Congreso (House of Representatives’ Square) through a linear road made up of approx. ten blocks.
In the intersection of Avenida de Mayo and 9 de Julio Av., you will see the Fuente Monumental Decorativa (decorative monumental fountain), purchased in 1850 from France and the Don Quixote Monument, which was inaugurated by Queen Sophia of Spain in 1980 and commemorates the 400 years since the second foundation of the city.
Palacio del Diario La Prensa (Palace of the newspaper “La Prensa”)
This magnificent building, with a French academy style, whose architects were Carlos Agote and Alberto Gainza, is situated in 575 Mayo Av. It was built between 1895 and 1898 and currently is the central office of the House of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires Government.
José Clemente Paz presented the Project of the palace’s façades, purchased in France, to the talented Agote and Gainza, who worked together with French technicians to create the iron structure of the building.
In its interior, in its nine plants distributed in two subfloors, first floor, and six floors, around a big central patio, there were halls where the printing systems, administration, reception and distribution of the newspaper worked, apart from rooms, guest rooms, showrooms, conference rooms and library.
The distinguished “Salón Dorado” (gold room) was inspired in the rooms of the Versailles Palace in France. Decorated with gold engravings, mirrors and tapestries, its ceiling showed magnificent decorative paintings such as “Atenea” and “Las Musas” by the Italian Nazareno Orlandi. Nowadays, in this majestic hall, official functions are held.
The renowned “Farola de la Prensa” is a 3-ton bronze sculpture brought from France and it represents the Roman goddess of wisdom and is a symbol of victory, called Minerva.
Edificio Barolo (Barolo building)
In its beginnings and towards the end of the 19th century, the city of Buenos Aires presented low buildings.
This building, which required a special permission to be built, owes its name to the Italian textile tycoon, Luis Barolo, who financed this important construction work, inaugurated in 1923. Created by the Italian Mario Palanti, it became the first skyscraper of the city and, no doubt, it is one of the most important symbols of the historical “Avenida de Mayo”.
The stunning Barolo building, a 24-storey building, with its exuberant cupola and its cement, granite and marble structure, was designed following the references of Dante’s Divine Comedy, alluding to hell, purgatory and paradise (the three parts of the work). It also keeps a relation with astronomy, as over its lighthouse, located in the cupola, you can see the Southern Cross constellation aligned over the building’s axis during the dusks in the first days of June.
It counts with two entrances, one by 1370 de Mayo Av. and another by 1371 Hipólito Yrigoyen St.
Teatro Liceo (Theater Liceo)
Facing the renowned square Lorea, in the intersection of Rivadavia Av. and Paraná St., this theater, founded in 1876, is located. The Liceo Theater has kept its original structure with few alterations. In this place the famous Spanish light opera La Verbana de la Paloma was released in 1894 and the famous comedy Las de Barranco, by Gregorio Laferrere, was released in 1908.
The theater is situated in 1499 Rivadavia Av.
Iglesia de la Piedad y Pasaje de la Piedad (La Piedad Church and La Piedad Alleyway)
To complete the outing along this area and very near the Liceo Theater, you should visit this church located in the intersection of Paraná St. and Rivadavia Av. and also the alleyway located in 1525/1573 Bartolomé Mitre St., with old noble mansions along Italian and French styles.
La Piedad church was inaugurated in 1895. In its beginning (since 1862), the construction works were directed by the Italian architects Nicola and Giuseppe Canale and, finally, in 1903, the renowned architect Juan Buschiazzo completed the building.
The Piedad alleyway extends in a “U” shape in front of the church. It comprises approx. 3 blocks.
Congreso Nacional (National Congress)
This palace, with an academic style and Greek-Roman influences, is located in the intersection of Entre Ríos and Hipólito Yrigoyen Avenues. It is a work by the Italian architect Víctor Meano, and its building dates back to 1906.
Inaugurated during the presidency of Figueroa Alcorta (1905-1910), this majestic building has a surface of 97 ft².
In its exterior you will see the great cupola that crowns the building. Due to its impressiveness and dimensions, it is one of the most important cupolas of Buenos Aires city. Its height represents power, and its design bears a 100% French style.
The sculptures located in its exterior symbolize the Powers of the State and the carriage represents the Republic.
In its interior, the “Salón Azul” (Blue Hall) presents an octagonal shape and it is covered by the cupola. In this hall, you will see a chandelier made of Baccarat crystal and bronze, which represents the provinces of the country. Besides, the building counts with a library covered with panels and Italian walnut woods engravings. The library was founded in 1959 and it counts approximately with two million books, turning it into one of the most important libraries of the world.
In this building, the sessions of the Upper and Lower Houses take place.
The main entrance of the building is in 1849 Hipólito Yrigoyen St. You can go on a guided visit where you can visit the halls of the Upper and Lower houses and the library.
The guided visits are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 am and 17 pm (in Spanish) and at 4 pm (in English, French and Spanish). Admission is free. Te: 4959-3000.
This building has been declared National Historical Monument.
(Nearest subway station: Congreso – Line A).
Plaza del Congreso (Congress Square)
The Congress square is located in front of the National Congress Palace since 1910. Inaugurated for the May Revolution centennial and guarded by Rivadavia and Hipólito Yrigoyen Avenues, this square is one of the largest of the city.
In front of the Congress building, you will find the fountain “Monumento a los Dos Congresos”, which was made in Belgium in 1908 and it alludes to the Buenos Aires Constituent Assembly of 1813, where many economic and social measures were issued, and to the Tucumán Congress of 1816, where the country’s national independence was declared. The authors of this important and magnificent work are Jules Lagae and Eugenio D´Huicque, both from Belgium origin.
It is important to stand out that the French landscape designer, Carlos Thays, was in charge of the design of this square, giving the city a unique landscape architecture.
(Nearest subway station: Congreso – Line A).
Plaza Mariano Moreno (Mariano Moreno Square)
The Monument to Mariano Moreno (1779-1811) is located in this square. He was an Argentine patriot who was part of the Primera Junta in 1810 (“First Junta”, the first government of Argentina after the May Revolution), acting as Secretary of the Junta. The work, made of bronze, belongs to the Spanish sculptor Miguel Blay y Fábregas and dates back to the beginning of the 20th century.
In this same square you will also find the statue “The Thinker” by Auguste Rodin, placed there in 1907. This is one of the two existing replicas in bronze of this work (originally sculpted in Paris) together with the one located in Philadelphia, US.
Plaza Lorea (Lora Square)
This square is situated between de Mayo and Rivadavia Avenues and Luis Sáenz Peña St., where the statue of José Manuel Estrada (1842-1894) is located. He was an Argentine writer and politician. In the 18th century, this square was used as a carts and wagons’ stop and as a market as well. This piece of land had belonged to Isidro Lorea, who lost his life in 1807 during the second English Invasions. The square is named after him. |
