Monserrat Neighborhood, Buenos Aires city, Argentina

The neighborhood is located in the historic zone that reflects the city and country history. It got this name from the parish where the Virgin of Monserrat Monastery is venerated.

The most representative constructions in Monserrat neighborhood have Spanish characteristics, because of the Spanish immigrants’ settlement. Nowadays, it is the national and governement’s Civic Center; there are also important tourist attractions, offices banks, hotels and restaurants.

WHAT TO VISIT?

Plaza de Mayo (square)
Balcarce, Rivadavia Avenue, Bolívar, Hipólito Yrigoyen

It is an important, civic and historic square in Argentina, witness of the most important demonstrations of country history. In 1810 it was scenario of May Revolution, began the Argentinean Independence; and was the meeting place of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo who claimed their kidnapped children by military dictatorship. Nowadays, it continues being the concentration place for social demonstrations.

The square is surrounded by the Town Council and “La Casa Rosada” (Government House).

In the square the “Pirámide de Mayo” is located, the first monument in honor to 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 decorative fountain acquired in 1850 from France, and the monument to Don Quijote for commemorating four hundred years of the second city foundation.

Governement House or “Casa Rosada”
Balcarce 50

It is the seat of national government; the current 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 Gral. José de San Martin Regiment who conserve the uniform that wore in the Emancipation War.

The main presidential entering is on Rivadavia Avenue; on the rear façade you will appreciate the old customs remains. On Irigoyen, the museum of the government house is located where you will appreciate works of art, uniforms, awards and furniture of different governments and presidents.

The subterranean galleries are the most outstanding, are 14 meters deep and reach to Paseo Colón Avenue.

National Congress
Entre Ríos avenue and Rivadavia

It was inaugurated in 1906, was declared national historic monument. It is the current Chamber of Senators and Deputies of the country, has 9000 mts2 of area. On the exterior, the great dome stands out, is 65 meters high and is on the building top.

Congress Square
Entre Ríos Avenue and Rivadavia

It is located in front of Congress, is 3 blocks long; the square was inaugurated to commemorate the May Revolution. From there, you will enjoy appreciating the Congress and the Monument to two Congress.

Metropolitan Cathedral
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 this lot in 1622, with neoclassic style; the remains of San Martin liberator and Independence hero are inside the mausoleum.

Cabildo
Bolívar 65

It is a national and historical monument where functions the “Museo Histórico Nacional del Cabildo y la Revolución de Mayo” exhibits weapon collections, medals and furniture.

The current construction began at the beginning of XVIII century, but has been modified to the present time.

It is watched over by Patricios regiment and the changing of the guard is the last Tuesday of each month.

Manzana de las Luces - San Ignacio Church - Colegio Nacional Buenos Aires
Alsina, Bolívar, Moreno, Perú

It is a national historic monument, located in Buenos Aires downtown, a village of religious and cultural histories.

It has a group of subterranean galleries; according specialists ´theories, they connected the council with the cathedral and several churches that had unknown purposes, the most popular suppositions claimed that they were built for city defense or smuggling.

You can have free guided visits on Sunday at 13:00 by
“Procuraduría de las Misiones Jesuíticas”, Tunnels of XVIII century and “Mercado de las Luces”, the visits depart from Peru 272.

San Ignacio Church

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

Buenos Aires National School

It is one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Its history dates back to the beginning of XVIII century, although it has this current name from 1863.

Ávila Bookstore
Alsina 500

In 1785, in this corner a shop was inaugurated, the first one which sold books in the city. According historians, the last decade of 1800 was popular known as School’s Bookshop.

Nowadays, Ávila bookshop functions and is the only shop since Colony.

Maria Josefa Ezcurra´s house
Alsina 455

The house of Maria Josefa Ezcurra, Juan Manuel Rosas sister-in-law (Buenos Aires’ ruler by the middle of XIX century), was built in 1836 and is one of the oldest houses of the city. Nowadays, it belongs to city museum and there were projects for its restoration.

The facade’s house shows Italian renaissance influences; its door has planks structure used in colony epoch.

La Puerto Rico Café
Alsina 420

It was inaugurated in November 1887, founded by Don Gumersindo Cabedo. In 1925, it moved to its actual establishment where offers hospitality and good coffee.

The porteña term declared in 1999 “Cultural interest place” and “Notable Bar”.

Altos de Elorriaga
Defensa and Alsina

It is located on Monserrat square, is one of the two-storey houses of the city. It is believed that the drafts were done by Saturnino Segurola but it is not confirmed, is one of the few corners without “ochava” in Buenos Aires.

In the house, the rooms surround a great internal yard, conserves its balcony, from there people appreciated 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 was familiar residence.

City Museum - La Estrella Pharmacy
Alsina 412

“La Estrella” pharmacy is located in the ground floor of the museum, has conserved its original style since 1900, with roof decorated by the Italian Parisi and walnut shelves from Italy. The museum is in the superior floor, exhibits daily objects of the colonial epoch.

Church and Convent of San Francisco - San Roque Chapel
Alsina and Defensa

It were inaugurated in 1754. It is a draft of Andrea Bianchi; Sackman remodeled the façade into a German baroque style which we appreciate now. It shares the entrance hall of San Roque chapel, opened each 16 of the month for the festivity celebration.
 
In front of the church, we can appreciate the sculptures that represents to San Francisco de Asís, Giotto, Dante Alighieri and Cristobal Colón.

Juan B. Ambrosetti Ethnographic Museum
Moreno 340

This building dates back to 1880, is a work of Architect Pedro Benoit. Nowadays, the Ethnographic Museum, institution dedicated to research, spreading and conservation of historic and anthropological heritage, has 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 has a library specialized in anthropology and a photographic and documentary files.

Banco de La Nación Argentina (bank)
25 de Mayo and Bartolomé Mitre

It was the head office of Colón Theater; it is a majestic building, the head office of “Banco de la Nación”. It is possible to visit the historic and numismatic museum and Bustillo art gallery.

Ex Mint House
Defensa and México

Nowadays, it belongs to Argentinean Army. In this place, many institutions like: “Hospital del Rey”, “Cuartel de la Partida Celadora” and “Cuerpo de Leones de Policía” were located.

In 1775, the authorities established the peso fuerte as currency and created the Mint House, where the bills, the tax bonds and fiscal stamps were printed. It is a work of E. Costilla engineer, inaugurated in 1881 and functioned to 1944; it is an Italian building, with symmetrical floor, central yard, and iron and brick structure. It is surrounded by a green area enclosed by pillars and ornamental grills.

Ex National Library
México 560

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