Many-sided Recoleta

Its Famous Cemetery

The Recoleta Cemetery, framed by Quintana, Vicente López, Junín and Azcuénaga Streets, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the City of Buenos Aires.

Turned into a cementery in 1822, it used to be an orchard which belonged to the recoleto monks. Its main attraction lies in the number of historical and artistic celebrities whose remains rest behind its gates, as well as in the artistic quality of its monuments and graves.

Characters that still generate the hatred and admiration of visitors even after their death rest at this remarkable cementery. From Facundo Quiroga, Juan Manuel de Rosas or Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, to María Eva Duarte de Perón, best known as Evita. The most popular graves include Martín Karadagian's, a catch wrestler loved by several generations of children, and actress Zully Moreno's, known as the lady of the white telephones.

Next to the cemetery, stands the basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, inaugurated in 1732 and declared National Historical Monument in 1942. This basilica has regular catholic activity and is open to the public. It houses a small museum where various elements of worship used by the recoleto monks may be appreciated.


Francia Square, Everything for Everyone

This characteristic spot is named after the monument called “From France to Argentina”, located in the center of the square. But Francia Square has become quite independent with the passing of time and represents a tourist attraction in the weekends.

Its handicrafts market is one of the largest in the city. Touring around the lanes made up by fixed stands or some improvised stalls, visitors can purchase various handicraft souvenirs including everything from leather products to rings and pendants, passing through exclusively designed clothes and handmade incense sticks with various aromas. Living statues, mimes, jugglers and tango dancers show off their art in front of passer-byes, and then expect some coin from them in return for the show as they pass around their caps, which act as a donation container.

In addition to being a beautiful and huge building whose architecture design is worth watching closely, the Recoleta Cultural Center offers several activities of general interest.

It has rooms for painting, drawing and sculpture exhibition, as well as theater halls and other rooms specially equipped for musical production. Inside the venue, the “No Touching Forbidden” science participation museum may be visited. This is an educational undertaking aimed at generating active experience with science, both for children and adults. The idea of this proposal is to foster the freedom of playing and reflecting through interactive recreation with experiences related with nature, perception, electricity and magnetism.


Fine Arts and Avant Garde…

Entering the Fine Arts National Museum is another alternative. The impressive building invites visitors to make a kind of mystic silence that is breathed across its 32 rooms. This silence represents admiration towards the many works of art, both temporary and permanent, displayed there. The ground floor presents a vast panorama of western art, from the Middle Ages to our days, and the first floor rooms show quality in extraordinary pieces of Argentinian art.

Avant-garde and modernism find their own place inside the Buenos Aires Design building. Various commercial alternatives accompany the new market trends, while its spectacular terraces offer the possibility of watching the various corners of Francia Square and the elegance of all Recoleta as if we were opening a window into this scenery.

The typical cafés are also present. “La Biela” stands out with its tables on the sidewalk and letting customers appreciate the splendor of the square as they drink a good cup of coffee or tea, when the clock strikes 5.

Recommendations:

Visits to the Cemetery
There are guided tours free of charge from Tuesdays thru Sundays from 11am to 3pm. There are also guided tours free of charge in English on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am. Not only do these tours show visitors around the cemetery, but they also provide information about the local history and its legends.

The Recoleta Cultural Center
The Recoleta Cultural Center is open to the public from Tuesdays thru Fridays, from 2pm to 9pm and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 10am to 9pm.

“No Touching Forbidden” Museum
During the vacation period, the museum works from Tuesday thru Sunday, including holidays, from 3.30pm thru 7.30pm. During schooldays, the venue is open from Tuesdays thru Fridays from 10am to 5pm and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 3.30pm thru 7.30pm.

Fine Arts National Museum
Guided tours are offered from Tuesdays thru Sundays according to schedule and themes: Fine Arts National Museums treasures, 4pm; Argentinian Art, 5pm; European Art (Figurative and abstract art at the Fine Arts National Museum Heritage), 6pm. Children and blind people may enjoy the museum on special customized tours. Te (011) 4803-4062.