Escuela de Lenguas UNLP/About Argentina/Tourist Attractions/Autonomous City/Buenos Aires

Overview

The Cosmopolitan and eclectic city of Buenos Aires surprises us with its contrasts. Picturesque neighbourhoods and the melancholy of tango mixes with modern skyscrapers and the latest technology. The Spanish founded the city twice: in 1536 Pedro de Mendoza arrived in the city and in 1580 it was Juan de Garay´s turn. The city grew, with wide avenues, tree-lined promenades, mansions and public buildings designed by well-known architects. Today, about eleven million people live in Buenos Aires and its metropolitan area. Countless art galleries, museums, theaters and movie theaters, elegant boutiques and modern shopping centers, thousands of restaurants, bars, and discos, make Buenos Aires the Queen of the River Plate area.

San Nicolás and Montserrat

There are two famous neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires (capital city): San Nicolás and Montserrat. Their arquitecture is fantastic! It's eclectic with elements resembling Barcelona, Paris and Madrid. It has a mixture of colonial, Art Nouveau and French bourbon style. San Nicolás is one of the neighbourhood of the city where there are a lot of famous buildings. It's usually referred as "the city centre". The first church of San Nicolás (St. Nicholas) used to be where the Buenos Aires Obelisk is located now. At the begining of the last century its buildings were charateristic of the May Avenue. Corrientes Avenue is often compared with those of Madrid. This neighbourhood has numerous museums related to history, fine arts, decorative arts and popular arts. It's also the home of hundred of bookstores, public libraries and cultural associations. Montserrat is a neighbourhood in the East of the Buenos Aires. You can find the City Hall and the City legislature among others buildings. May square is famous for the events that occurred there throughout history. It's usually referred as the city centre. Buenos Aires is a large city but these two neighbourhoods are the main tourist destinations.

Confitería “Las Violetas”

“Las Violetas” is an old and emblematic building, located on the corner of Medrano and Rivadavia streets, in Buenos Aires city.

It opened on 21st September 1884, but around 1920 the present building was constructed and in 1998 it was declared historic place with beautiful glass windows and glass doors, and Italian marble floors.

“Las Violetas” is an elegant tea house; its famous teas in the afternoon are very abundant, with toast, cheese, jam, cakes, sandwiches, croissants, biscuits and orange juice. It also offers a delicious menu for dinner; the pasta is special.