Monserrat Neighborhood, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The neighborhood is located in a historic zone that reflects the city and country history. It took this name from the parish where the Virgin of Monserrat Monastery is venerated.
The most representative constructions in Monserrat have Spanish characteristics because of the Spanish immigrants’ settlement. Nowadays, it is the national and government’s Civic Center; there are also important tourist attractions, offices, banks, hotels and restaurants.

WHAT TO VISIT?

Plaza de Mayo (Square)

It is located among Balcarce, Rivadavia, Bolívar, Hipólito Yrigoyen Avenues

It is an important civic and historic square of Argentina; it was a witness of the most important demonstrations of the history of the country. In 1810, it was the scenario of the May Revolution when the Argentinean Independence began; and it was the meeting place of the famous Mothers of Plaza de Mayo who claimed for their disappeared children who were kidnapped by military dictatorships. Nowadays, it keeps being the concentration place for social demonstrations.
The square is surrounded by the Town Council and “La Casa Rosada”.
In the square, the “Pirámide de Mayo” is located; this was the first monument in honor to the independence of the first Argentinean government in 1810.

Avenida de Mayo (Avenue)

It was the scenario of politic demonstrations and protests. On Mayo and 9 de Julio Avenues, there is a monumental fountain, acquired in 1850 from France, and there is also the monument of Don Quijote, created to commemorate the four hundred years of the city foundation.

Government House or “Casa Rosada”

It is located in Balcarce Nº 50

It is the seat of the national government. The building was finished in 1884. The president Sarmiento (1868-1874) decided to paint the government house pink, hence, its popular name “Casa Rosada” (Pink House) or “La Rosada”.
At the present time, it is watched over by the Grenadiers of General José de San Martin Regiment who keep the uniform that wore during the Emancipation War.

The main entering is placed on Rivadavia Avenue. On the rear façade, you will appreciate old customs remains. On Irigoyen, the museum of the government house is located, in here, you will appreciate works of art, uniforms, awards and furniture of different governments and presidents.
The subterranean galleries are really amazing, they are 14 meters deep and they reach to Paseo Colón Avenue.

National Congress

It is located between Entre Ríos and Rivadavia Avenues
It was inaugurated in 1906. It was declared a National Historic Monument. It is the current Chamber of Senators and Deputies of the country. It has an area of 9000 mts2. On the exterior, the great dome stands out, it is 65 meters high and it is placed on the building top.

Congress Square

It is located between Entre Ríos and Rivadavia Avenues
It is located in front of the Congress; it is 3 blocks long. The square was inaugurated to commemorate the May Revolution. From there, you will appreciate the Congress and the Monument.

Metropolitan Cathedral

It is located between Rivadavia Avenue and San Martin

It is the most important catholic temple of the city, the first cathedral of Buenos Aires. The mausoleum was built in 1622 with a neoclassic style. The remains of San Martin, a liberator and an Independence hero, are inside the mausoleum.

Cabildo

It is located in Bolívar Nº 65
It is a national and historical monument where the “Museo Histórico Nacional del Cabildo y la Revolución de Mayo” exhibits weapon collections, medals and furniture.
The current construction started at the beginning of the XVIII century, but it has been modified until the present time.
It is watched over by the Patricios regiment. The changing of the guard takes place the last Tuesday of each month.

Manzana de las Luces - San Ignacio Church - Colegio Nacional Buenos Aires

It is located among Alsina, Bolívar, Moreno, Perú

It is a National Historic Monument located in downtown; a village of religious and cultural history.
It contains a group of subterranean galleries. According to specialists, they used to connect the council with the cathedral and several other churches with unknown purposes; the most popular suppositions claimed that these galleries were built for city defense or smuggling.
It is possible to attend to free guided visits on Sundays, at 13:00. This visit traverses the “Procuraduría de las Misiones Jesuíticas”, the tunnels of the XVIII century and the “Mercado de las Luces”. The visits depart from Peru Nº 272.

San Ignacio Church

It was built in 1686, it is the oldest church of the city. It was the major temple of the Jesuits.

Buenos Aires National School

It is one of the most prestigious schools of the country. Its history dates back to the beginning of the XVIII century. Its actual name was used in 1863.

Ávila Bookstore

It is located in Alsina Nº 500

In 1785, the first shop destined to sell books was inaugurated in this corner. According to some experts, the last decade of 1800, this place was popularly known as School’s Bookshop.
Nowadays, the Ávila Bookshop is the only shop since the Colony.

Maria Josefa Ezcurra´s house

It is located in Alsina Nº 455

The house of Maria Josefa Ezcurra, Juan Manuel Rosas` sister-in-law (a Buenos Aires ruler during the middle of the XIX century), was built in 1836 and it is one of the oldest houses of the city. Today, it belongs to the city museum and there were diverse projects for its restoration.
The façade of the house shows Italian renaissance influences; its door has a plank structure.

La Puerto Rico Café

It is located in Alsina Nº 420

It was inaugurated on November 1887. It was founded by Don Gumersindo Cabedo. In 1925, it was moved to its actual establishment where it is possible to enjoy hospitality and good coffee.
The “porteña term” was declared “Cultural interest place” and “Notable Bar” in 1999.

Altos de Elorriaga

It is located between Defensa and Alsina

It is located on Monserrat Square. It is one of the two-storey houses of the city. It is believed that its drafts were done by Saturnino Segurola. It is one of the few corners without “ochava” in Buenos Aires.
In the house, the rooms surround a great internal yard; its nice balcony is preserved, from there, people can appreciate the river. The façade is smooth and white washed with grilled balconies in the first floor; the ground floor was destined to commerce and the top floor used to be a familiar residence.

City Museum - La Estrella Pharmacy

It is located in Alsina Nº 412

“La Estrella” Pharmacy is located in the ground floor of the museum. It has kept its original style since 1900 placed on a roof decorated by Italian Parisi and walnut shelves. The museum is situated in the superior floor, it exhibits daily objects from the Colony.

Church and Convent of San Francisco - San Roque Chapel

It is located between Alsina and Defensa

It was inaugurated in 1754. It is a draft of Andrea Bianchi. Sackman remodeled the façade into the actual German baroque style. It shares the entrance hall with the San Roque Chapel which is opened, each 16 of the month, for the celebration.
 
In front of the church, it is possible to appreciate the sculptures that represent San Francisco de Asís, Giotto, Dante Alighieri and Cristobal Colón.

Juan B. Ambrosetti Ethnographic Museum

It is located in Moreno Nº 340

This building dates back to 1880. It is a work of the architect Pedro Benoit. Nowadays, the Ethnographic Museum (an institution dedicated to research, spreading and conservation of the historic and anthropological heritage) possesses the most complete ethnographic and anthropological collection of the country with objects of different cultures; the main ones are: Condorhuasi, Ona, Tehuelche, Guaraní and Toba.
The ethnographic museum contains a library specialized in anthropology; it also keeps photographic and documentary files.

Banco de La Nación Argentina (Bank)

It is located between 25 de Mayo and Bartolomé Mitre
It was the head office of the Colón Theater. This is a majestic building, the actual head office of “Banco de la Nación”. It is possible to visit the historic and numismatic museum and the Bustillo art gallery.

Ex Mint House

It is located between Defensa and México

Nowadays, it belongs to the Argentinean Army. In this place, many institutions (“Hospital del Rey”, “Cuartel de la Partida Celadora” and “Cuerpo de Leones de Policía”) are situated.
In 1775, the authorities established the “peso fuerte” as the currency and they created the Mint House where the bills, the tax bonds and the fiscal stamps were printed. The structure is a work of the engineer E. Costilla. It was inaugurated in 1881 and it functioned until 1944. It is an Italian building with a symmetrical floor, a central yard and an iron structure. It is surrounded by a green area enclosed by pillars and ornamental grills.

Ex National Library

It is located in México Nº 560

This building is a representation of the architecture of Beaux Arts. It was built in 1901 by Carlos Morra, an Italian architect. It worked as the head office of the National Lottery. Then, it was handed over to a National Library. In 1992, the library was moved to its present building situated on Austria and Libertador Streets.