sightseeing

Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires: Monuments & Buildings to Sightsee

Let’s cover the monuments we must see at the famous Plaza de Mayo square when sightseeing Buenos Aires. Located in the Barrio Montserrat, Plaza de Mayo has been and is witness to Argentinean history.

The Plaza de Mayo, officially “Plaza 25 de Mayo”, in commemoration of the date of the Revolution that led to the resignation of the Spanish Viceroy and the establishment of the First Junta de Gobierno Patrio. Founded by Juan de Garay back in 1580, this square has definitely witnessed the history of Argentina. A location for mass demonstrations, right across from Argentina’s key government buildings. If you are visiting Buenos Aires, you will want to walk around and check out the following buildings and monuments.

The Casa Rosada - the equivalent to the White House in DC - situated right across from the Plaza de Mayo.

The Casa Rosada – the equivalent to the White House in DC – situated right across from the Plaza de Mayo.

Plaza de Mayo and its Buildings

The Cabildo, located in Bolivar and Av. De Mayo, right in front of the Plaza de Mayo, saw within its walls these historical events that concluded with the emancipation of the Spanish crown and the beginning of the development of a nation. The Revolution of May 1810, took place in this building where the first open town hall was held. Its construction began in 1682, and completed 200 years later. In 1940, the architect Mario Buschiazzo reconstructed the aspect of the colonial Town hall, based on diverse historical documents.

The monument to Manuel Belgrano in Plaza de Mayo

Equestrian statue of General Manuel Belgrano, off Balcarce street across from the Casa Rosada, in Plaza de Mayo.

Cabildo de Buenos Aires.

Cabildo de Buenos Aires.

The Plaza de Mayo, Hipólito Yrigoyen Avenue

The Casa Rosada, the May Pyramid or Pyramid de Mayo, and the dome of the Municipal Palace in the background seen from Hipólito Yrigoyen Avenue

Plaza de Mayo, Balcarce Street

View of the pedestrian area of ​​Balcarce Street, Casa Rosada on the right and the Argentine National Bank in the background

The Argentine National Bank

Home to the Banco Nación, the main bank of Argentina, and the official public and national bank. In this building operated the first Colón Theater or National Opera House between 1857 and 1888. Project by the architect Alejandro Bustillo, built between 1940 and 1955. This is a magnificent construction, an outstanding example of the institutional architecture of the mid-twentieth century in Argentina.

The Plaza de Mayo has been witness to Argentina's history.

The Plaza de Mayo has been witness to Argentina’s history.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires (of the Holy Trinity)

Incredible building of atypical neoclassical architecture – for a Church –  with Greco influences. It sits on the corner of San Martín and Rivadavia streets. The original Catholic Cathedral was built in the XVIII century, the last one dates from the XX century. The portico was made in 1822 by Prospero Catelin and Pierre Benoit, inspired by the Palais Bourbon in Paris. The remains of the Liberator General San Martin lie here with eternal flames.

The Pyramid of 1811 in Plaza de Mayo

Built to commemorate the first anniversary of the May Revolution (la Revolución de Mayo), right at the center of the Plaza de Mayo.

Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

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Things to visit in Patagonia

You will never run out of things to visit in Patagonia. Here you will find tall mountain ranges, magical forests, extensive plains, miles of sandy beaches and glacial lakes.

Wondering what things to visit in Patagonia besides activities and adventures? if you decided to holiday in the Patagonia Argentina during the winter season and you are the active, sporty type, then Patagonia has you covered. With almost 90% of Argentina’s ski resorts, with trails of different levels suitable for all ages and experience.

The Cerro Otto is postulated as the ideal place to learn to ski. Spend a beautiful day enjoying the snow and the landscape overlooking the stunning Lake Nahuel Huapi. How is that for a relaxing trip or a beginners’ ski adventure?

Things to visit in Patagonia | Skiing in the Cerro Otto

Things to visit in Patagonia | Cerro Otto Skiing

Things to visit in Patagonia: Neuquén Mapuche Tourist Route

Ever wanted to explore and live amidst a culture totally different from yours? There aren’t many Mapuche tribes left, so this is well worth visiting when bordering the Andes in the province of Neuquén.

For those tourists who choose to experience other adventures, this tourist route provides a wide variety of discovering traditions, music and cuisine between lakes, forests and mountains.

This tourism is very bohemian ethnic and where you can get to get learn to live this culture for a while everyday activities are sheep farming, land crop and food processing and handicrafts, in Neuquén is combined with adventure activities lakes, mountains and valleys. All these places invite tourists to see the customs and religion develop various services to tourists. You will leave here with a big smile and a nice experience.

Things to visit in Patagonia | Cultures

Things to visit in Patagonia | Cultures

Things to visit in Patagonia: Thermal Healing & Relaxation

If you are looking for a relaxing vacation to leave the stress of work behind, then these Hot Springs and Spas are “the” things to visit in Patagonia. Here you can practice Thermalism, considered therapeutic for good health and relaxation, as well as a synonym for wellness, beauty and vitality. Neuquén has many hot springs in their territory. Other options are Domuyo hot springs, known for its healing properties and thermal Epulafquen near Junín de los Andes, which are especially recommended to relieve rheumatism, liver dysfunction and skin problems. The spa offers treatments of all kinds.

Things to visit in Patagonia: Whale watching

Things to visit in Patagonia | Whale watching Puerto Pirámides, Argentina

Things to visit in Patagonia | Whale watching Puerto Pirámides, Argentina | Photo credit: Patagonia

During the winter and the arrival of spring, a lot of whales approach the Valdes Peninsula region. Particularly in the San Jose and Nuevo Gulfs, in the province of Chubut.

Every year, tourists from all over the world visit cities like Puerto Madryn, Puerto Pirámides and Trelew to watch the whales. You can see them from the both the ocean shores or climb on a boat that will take you up front and close to these amazing mammals. September and October are the best months for whale watching in Patagonia.

The peninsula and the magic of the whales attract tourists from around the world and everyone wants to live the unforgettable experience of approaching one of them. Whale watching lasts up to 45 minutes, as that time is regulated to avoid disturbing the animals and maximize the number of people who can watch them every day.

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Places to visit in Argentina – Puerto Madero

There are so many places to visit in Argentina and today we will discover Puerto Madero.

Puerto Madero is a neighborhood in Buenos Aires, whose streets pay homage to outstanding women in Argentina’s history, born out of the recovery of 170 hectares of land via a project that soon became an exclusive residential, gastronomic and business hub of the City and definitely, one of the places to visit in Argentina.

Places to Visit in Argentina - Puerto Madero

Places to Visit in Argentina – Puerto Madero

Puerto Madero and its History

By the end of the 19th century, the authorities decided to provide the city with adequate port facilities. Eduardo Madero’s proposal, which planned the location of the port in the area surrounding Plaza de Mayo, was passed by the Argentine Congress in 1882. The facilities were eventually inaugurated in 1897. And the red brick warehouses, which have become the landmark of this District, were built.

Puerto Madero Red Brick Buildings

Puerto Madero Red Brick Buildings – Courtesy CVG All rights reserved

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Costanera Avenue, one of the favorite promenades of the city dwellers and a favorite location for many famous steak houses for decades, was opened, together with the Municipal Riverside Resort. But the area was not maintained and had deteriorated and in 1989 the Government decided to rescue the old port area and integrate the city with the Rio de la Plata River. And this is how the neighborhood Puerto Madero was born.

Why is Puerto Madero one of the Places to visit in Argentina?

Besides its fantastic steak houses and worldwide renowned restaurants and night life, Puerto Madero has architectural characteristics that differentiate it from other neighborhoods in Buenos Aires.

On the sides of the water surfaces, a series of lower buildings provide equipment and life to the public walk. It offers parks open to the seafront line, parallel to each one of the docks. An architecturally interesting pedestrian bridge spans the harbor called “El Puente de la Mujer” or the Woman’s Bridge.

 

Puente de la Mujer

The Puente de la Mujer bridge

You cannot miss visiting the BUQUE MUSEO FRAGATA SARMIENTO docked at Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo 980 – Dique 3 – Oeste (tel. 4334-9386) http://www.ara.mil.ar/pag.asp?idItem=112 or attend the ROJO TANGO SHOW at Martha Salotti 445 – Faena Hotel + Universe (tel. 5787-1636) info@rojotango.com/ – http://www.rojotango.com/

You will enjoy walking around Puerto Madero’s wide boardwalk both during the day and in the evening. The area is calm, modern and a haven from the busy Buenos Aires’ streets. There is a large choice of restaurants which makes it an easy choice for meals or a “cafecito”.

We highly recommend making Puerto Madero one of your places to visit in Argentina on your next trip!

Puerto Madero Waterfront Art

Puerto Madero Waterfront Art – Courtesy CVG – All rights reserved

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Buenos Aires and the Spaniards Monument (Monumento de los Espanoles)

Marble Memorial in the Palermo District in Buenos Aires – 24.5 meters high, created in marble from Carrara and brass.

In Spanish “El Monumento de los Españoles”, it got its name because it was a gift from the Spanish community. The top sculpture represents the “Republic”. It was built by sculptor Agustín Querol y Subirats.

This is one of the most beautiful monuments in Buenos Aires, not only for its magnificence, but also for its location, in the intersection of two wide boulevards: Avenue del Libertador and Avenue Sarmiento in Palermo.

Its real name is “Magna Carta and the Four Argentine Regions”, but everybody knows it as “El monumento de los Españoles” (The Monument of the Spaniards). It was donated in 1910 by the Spanish community for the centenary of the May Revolution. But the construction suffered several problems.

Spaniard's Statue - Buenos Aires - Monumento a los Españoles

Spaniard’s Statue – Buenos Aires – Monumento a los Españoles

The first sculptor and winner of the design contest, Agustin Querol, died in 1909, and his creation had to be continued by another artist, Cipriano Folgueras, who also died shortly after.

The work was further delayed when the Spanish ship that was carrying the bronze pieces needed for its construction sunk on March, 1916 by the Brazilian coast. Replicas had to be ordered from Spain, which were finished by 1918.

The monument was finally inaugurated on May 25, 1927. There are many more tales and mysteries surrounding the story of this monument. If you are interested in learning its secret history join us on one of our Buenos Aires Secrets Tours.

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Buenos Aires oldest neighborhood

San Telmo (“St. Pedro González Telmo”) is the oldest barrio (neighborhood) of Buenos Aires, Argentina and also a fairly well preserved area of that constantly changing Argentine metropolis and is characterized with a number of colonial buildings.

Cafes, tango parlors and antique shops line up the cobblestone (adoquines) streets, which are filled with artists and dancers.

San Telmo neighborhood - Buenos Aires

San Telmo neighborhood – Buenos Aires

San Telmo’s many attractions include many old churches (e.g. San Pedro Telmo), museums, antique stores and a semi-permanent antique fair (Feria de Antigüedades) in the main public square, Plaza Dorrego. Tango-related activities for both locals and tourists also abound in the area.

Known as San Pedro Heights during the 17th century, the area was mostly home to the city’s growing contingent of dockworkers and brickmakers; indeed, the area became became Buenos Aires’ first “industrial” area, home to its first windmill and most of the early city’s brick kilns and warehouses.

The bulk of the city’s exports of wool, hides and leather (the Argentine region’s chief source of income as late as the 1870s) were prepared and stored here in colonial times.

San Telmo became the most multicultural neighborhood in Buenos Aires, home to large communities of British, Galician, Italian and Russian-Argentines.

Buenos Aires oldest neighborhood

Buenos Aires Cafe - San Telmo

Buenos Aires Cafe – San Telmo

San Telmo’s bohemian air began attracting local artists after upwardly mobile immigrants left the area.

Growing cultural activity resulted in the opening of the Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art by critic Rafael Squirru in 1956, as well as in the 1960 advent of the “Republic of San Telmo,” an artisan guild which organized art walks and other events.

San Telmo’s immigrant presence also led to quick popularization of tango in the area; long after the genre’s heyday, renown vocalist Edmundo Rivero purchased an abandoned colonial-era grocery in 1969, christening it El Viejo Almacen (“The Old Grocery Store”). Soon becoming one of the city’s best-known tango music halls, it helped lead to a cultural and economic revival in San Telmo.

As most of San Telmo’s 19th century architecture and cobblestone streets remain, it has become an important tourist attraction.

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