Local de San Telmo (39 K)

San Telmo

Located to the south of the Plaza de Mayo, the neighbourhood of San Telmo is the oldest part of Buenos Aires. In the past it was very elegant to live in San Telmo, today it is a bohemian haven where artists and artisans installed in old houses that have resisted time and modernity. They have been transformed into their residences, alternating with antique dealers, shops and the most famous tanguerías (tango places), for the delight of those who visit the city.
The neighbourhood was the place of residence of the aristocratic families until an epidemic of yellow fever in 1871 forced its inhabitants to abandon it. Then, immigrants who lived in a promiscuous form, inhabited the old large houses. These houses were called " conventillos " and they began to be recycled in 1970.
The streets of the neighbourhood are ideal for those who like to look for bargains, especially in the fair of San Telmo that takes place every Sunday in the Plaza Dorrego. It is one of the most interesting attractions and the ideal place to buy a souvenir of the city.
There are posters in Spanish, English and Portuguese in San Telmo, which will help the traveller:
San Pedro Telmo (Humberto I° 340):
National Historical monument; the construction of the church began in 1734 by the Jesuit Company; the façade is eclectic with neo-classical architectural elements, of Baroque and Italian influence.
Dorrego Square (Humberto I° and Defense):
National Historical monument; on Sundays, from 10 to 17, people of the neighbourhood meet in the fair that works in the square; antiques, old objects, mimes, tango dancers and artists meet here.
Monumento Canto al Trabajo (Monument for the Workers) (Av.Paseo Colón 800, Plazoleta Manuel de Olazábal):
It is a masterpiece of the Argentine sculptor Rogelio Yrurtia (1879-1950); it is a group of 14 brass figures dragging an enormous stone symbolising the effort of work.
House of Juan Carlos Castagnino (Balcarce 1016):
Picturesque house of the beginning of the XVIII th century, where the artist Juan Carlos Castagnino lived. (1908-1972) He was a famous painter who illustrated the Martín Fierro in 1972.
Gallery El Solar de French (Defensa among Humberto I° and Carlos Calvo):
It is the house that belonged to the family of Domingo French today it is a commercial gallery.
Pasaje de la Defensa (Defensa 1179):
This small street works as a commercial gallery with three patios.
Parque Lezama (in the streets Defensa, Brazil, Paseo Colón and Martin García):
One can walk under the shade of old trees as if it were a natural ravine. Here stands the monument to Don Pedro de Mendoza, first founder of Buenos Aires. The monument was carried out by Juan Carlos Oliva Navarro (1888-1951)

Facultad de Ingeniería (21 K)

Engeneer Faculty
Buildt in neo-classicist style similar to the one of the Facultad de Derecho (Rights School) near the Recoleta. It was built to house the Foundation Eva Perón. For political reasons it was transferred to the University of Buenos Aires.
Secretary of Agriculture (Av.Paseo Colón 922):
A neo-gothic building by Andrés Vanelli and Kimbau and Company.
School Guillermo Rawson (Humberto I° 343):
This building of neo-classical characteristics harboured from the beginning of 1800 a convent of the Bethlemitas order. They planted the magnificent magnolias in front of the building. It was remodelled in 1926.
Russian Orthodox Church (Brazil 35):
In front of Parque Lezama, this church was built at the beginning of the century. It has five domes decorated with mosaics and paintings. Most of its icons and stained windows were brought from Russia at the time of its construction. The Czar Nicolás II and the Tsarina Alejandra contributed with more than 50 crates full of works of art.
Museum of Modern Art (Av.San Juan 350; tel 54(11)4361-1121) Tu to Fri from 10 to 20 ; Sa and Su from 11 to 20
In a recycled old deposit of tobacco, the collections of contemporary Argentine artists are shown
Museum of the Cinema Pablo C. Ducros Hicken (Defensa 1220; TEL 54(11)4361-2462) Mo to Fri from 10 to 18.
It is a museum dedicated to Argentine cinema. Objects related with the evolution of our cinema from 1896 to the present time. There are more than 600 sound movies, and a complete collection of films about Argentine contemporary history.