Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Avenida 9 de Julio
Though it appears as integrated into the cityscape as the rubber trees and
crumbling sidewalks, the 460-ft (140-m) wide, 12-lane Avenida 9 de Julio
is among the city's youngest public works, having reached its current length
— from Avenida Alem to Plaza Constitución — only in 1980. Thousands were
displaced when the project broke ground in 1937. The grand houses and
churches, including the 18th-century San Nicolás cathedral, became landfill.
To their credit, the planners designed a
plazoleta
-peppered thoroughfare that
showcases public art and some of the city's prime attractions. Still, traffic
moves at a breakneck pace, conversation gets swallowed by noise, and the
Avenida's width does not let pedestrians cross in one traffic-signal cycle.
Top 10 Features
1 El Obelisco
2 French Embassy
3 Teatro Colón
4 Estatua del Quijote
5 Ex-Ministry of Public Works
6 Estación Constitución
7 Calle Levalle
8 Museo de Arte
Hispanoamericano Isaac
Fernández Blanco
9 Mansión Alzaga Unzué
0 Plazoleta Cataluña
!
El Obelisco
Calle Levalle
Take a detour down
the curving Calle
Arroyo to glimpse
Retiro's most
sophisticated street.
Treat yourself to a
glass of Malbec
at Winery
(Avda.
del Libertador 500;
4325-5200)
.
This monument
(right)
commemorates the 400th
anniversary of the capital's
founding and is the site for
concerts, performances,
and rallies.
• Map P6
• French Embassy:
Calle Cerrito 1399; 4515-
2930; open 10:30am-
5pm Tue-Fri, 1:30-6pm
Sat-Sun
• Estación Constitución:
Cnr Calles Lima & Brasil;
4306-7919; open 24
hours; keep watch on
cameras and purses
• Museo de Arte
Hispanoamericano:
Calle Suipacha 1422;
4327-0272; open 2-7pm
Tue-Sun; adm US$1;
www.museos.
buenosaires.gov.ar/
mifb.htm
@
French Embassy
Slated for demolition
under the Avenida's original
blueprints, the fine
1913-Belle Époque-styled
French Embassy
(above)
was spared after protests.
£
Teatro Colón
The Colón
(right)
is an
engineering marvel. Its
wonderful wrought iron and
glass-covered workshops
jut out from the main
building
(see pp12-13)
.
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