The Comercial District (39 K)

City, Catalinas and Puerto Madero

City
Here in the City the principal financial centre is found; its main axes are Florida Street and Lavalle Street. It embraces the area of the streets Bartolomé Mitre, Uruguay, Viamonte and the Avenida Madero.
Bolsa de Comercio (Stock Exchange) (25 Mayo and Sarmiento):
This old building is from 1916 and it is the work of the architect Alejandro Christophersen.
Avenida Corrientes (Corrientes Avenue)
Traditional avenue where theatres, cinemas and bookstores are found.
Obelisco and Av. 9 de Julio:
The Obelisco is the symbol of the city, In the intersection of the avenues Corrientes and 9 de Julio. It was built in 1936 by the architect Alberto Prebisch commemorating the fourth anniversary of the first foundation of the city (in 1536). The avenue 9 de Julio is said to be the widest in the world and it crosses the city from north to south. To cross it on foot can be an entire adventure.

Teatro Colón (28 K)

Teatro Colón (among the streets Cerrito, Tucumán, Libertad and Viamonte):
The building and the acoustics make it one of the four most important theatres in the world. María Callas, Julio Bocca, Arturo Toscanini, Luciano Pavarotti and all important interpreters in the world have been here. It was built in 1908. The frescoes by Raúl Soldi can be seen in the dome . One can visit the theatre. tel 54(11)4378-7130/31.


House of Jorge Luis Borges (Tucumán 844; tel 54(11)4322-1550) Guided Tours We 16.30.
Police Museum (San Martin 353; tel 54(11)4394-6857) Tu to Su from 13 to 18.
Court of Justice (Talcahuano between Tucumán and Lavalle):
The Palacio de Tribunales is the headquarter of the Supreme Court of Justice and numerous tribunals. It is in front of the Plaza Lavalle and the Teatro Colón. In the corner of Talcahuano and Tucumán the Torre Massué in art nouveau style has been preserved incorporated to a modern building.


Catalinas
It is the area between the Avenida Madero and the streets Viamonte and Florida. There, the most modern constructions concentrate headquarters of national and international companies. It takes its name from Santa Catalina's convent that was placed in the corner of Viamonte and San Martin up to 1974.

Galerías Pacífico (in the streets San Martin, Viamonte, Florida and the Av.Córdoba) The building with frescoes by Berni, Castagnino, Urruchúa and Spilimbergo is a big commercial centre today.

Centro Cultural Borges (Viamonte and San Martin, inside theGalerías Pacífico tel 54(11)4319-5359) Exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and photographs; consult calendars (Mo to Su from 10 to 21, Su from 12 to 21)

Puerto Madero (it embraces the area of avenues Madero and Córdoba, the Rio de la Plata and Juan de Garay) At the beginning of the 90ties the area began to be recycled. The old buildings of the port were integrated to the city. They were transformed into offices buildings and restaurants, shops and cinemas. This centre competes with the neighbourhood of the Recoleta.
One can visit the Fragata Libertad that was during 37 years, Argentina's naval school ship. It made 39 complete trips around the world, after having weighed anchor for the first time in Liverpool in 1898. It can be visited every day from 9 to 20.

Ship Museum Corbeta Ara Uruguay (Dike 1, Puerto Madero; tel 54(11)4314-1090) Mo-Su from 10 to 21.

Museum of Tracings and Compared Sculptures (Av. Tristán Rodríguez 1701; tel 54(11)4361-5144) Mo to Fri from 9 to 18; Su to Su from 11.30 to 18.