If you want to get known with the “real” Buenos Aires and not only the touristic and the so popular parts of the city - which of course also got there charm- we suggest that you to take once in a while a day to walk around in a few neighborhoods that we will describe during some time, to see if you can get to the smell of the river, the rhytm of the (european) imigrants influence and the real feeling of tango..
BARRACAS
1. Martín García Avenue
It was the old route called Camino a la Ensenada de Barragan to Magdalena and Quilmes towns, originally sourcing from Plaza Mayor. The carts exit the port down Defensa and Humberto I streets. The nearby Almirante Brown avenue leads you to La Boca neighborhood.
2. Canale Factory
Martín García avenue opposite to Lezama Park
The famous and old cookies factory used to sweetly scent the whole neighborhood. Premises hold two domes and it has been decorated with majolica.
3. Avenida Martín García 584
This was the seat of Admiral Brown’s week-end cottage. Guillermo Brown, mariner of Irish origin, created the First Argentine Navy Fleet.
4. Montes de Oca Avenue (Former Calle Larga)
This avenue extends from Caseros avenue up to the Riachuelo. At the beginning of century 20º, wealthy families walked over and spent summer holidays there. The most representative and wealthy families such as the Balcarce’s, Díaz Vélez’, Satamarino’s, Udaondo’s, Elizalde’s and Ramos Mejia’s, among others, used to have their week-end cottages along this avenue.
5. Santa Lucia Parish
Avenida Montes de Oca 550
Santa Lucia is the saint patron of this neighborhood. The first chapel was founded in 1783. Every December 13, a procession is carried out along Montes de Oca avenue, in honor to the ‘Saint Patron of the Sight’.
6. Colombia Square
Surrounded by Montes de Oca, Isabel la Católica, Brandsen and Pinzón avenues
It was part of the plot of land occupied by Martin de Alzaga’s week-end cottage, in colonial times. He was an important and rich Basque merchant, hero of the Re-conquest of the City during the English Invasions of 1806 and 1807.
The main house occupied the center of the square. There, Martin de Alzaga quartered his troops when he fought against the Government of the Revolution of May. A slave denounced him and Alzaga was captured, sentenced and gun-shot.
You can see the mast and a bronze sculptured group made by Julio C. Bergottini. The same sculptor made a bust in honor to General San Martin. The square also holds a Monument to the Mother by Pedro Trenti.
7. Santa Felicitas Church
Isabel La Católica street, between Pinzón and Brandsen streets
Felicitas Guerrero was a young and wealthy widow, considered by that time the most beautiful woman in Buenos Aires. In 1872, she was murdered by a cheated solicitor, the dandy Enrique Ocampo (uncle to writers Victoria and Silvina Ocampo). In memory of their daughter, the parents erected this temple in 1875, ordering the design to architect Bunge. The church combines highly eclectic elements with Gothic reminiscences. It is the only church in Buenos Aires where statues represent worldly characters. They are all Carrara marble-made and they depict Felicitas with her children and Martin de Alzaga.
8. Israeli Temple or Torah
Brandsen 1444
Built by architect Valentini. Of oriental style, it holds a facade with big glass panes and a central portico crowned with a great dome of onion-like clusters. Dome makes this temple stand out among the premises of the neighborhood. Inside, you can see a beautiful Andalusian patio paved with multicolored mosaics.
9. Alpargatas Factory
Avenida Regimiento de Patricios 1142
You can see a series of buildings which belonged to the most important textile factory in Argentina. It was founded by a Basque, Juan Echegaray, and a Scotchman, Robert Fraser, in 1883.
10. El Águila-Saint Chocolate Factory
Herrera street, between Brandsen and Suárez streets
Each corner of the premises is crowned by an eagle, the symbol of this traditional Argentine chocolate factory.
11. Lanín Street
Near the old chocolate factory Aguila, we can stroll along Lanin street. Short and winding, this street is a permanent exhibition of urban or street art. It is near the railroads. The plastic artist Marino Santa María proposed to color facades and walls of the houses with vertical, horizontal and waving lines from Brandsen until Suarez streets.
12. Ferroviario Neighborhood
Australia al 2700
This small English-styled neighborhood was built for railroad employees. They sum up about 300 apartments.
0 Responses to ““Non touristic neighborhoods” part one: BARRACAS”