BUENOS AIRES AREA BY AREA - Argentina - page 107

French-style ornate façade of Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo

q Campo Argentino
de Polo de Palermo
Ave del Libertador 4300, Palermo.
City Map 5 D2. Te l [phone].
Ministro Carranza. @ 130, 160,
166. & 7 - ∑ aapolo.com

ranging from Roman sculptures
to contemporary silverware. The
bulk of the pieces are of either
Oriental or European origin and
date from the 16th to the 20th
century. Many were donated by
Buenos Aires's richest and most
celebrated families, including
the Errázuriz-Alvears. Among
the well-known names
whose works are on display
are those of Edouard Manet
and Auguste Rodin,
represented by a portrait
and several small
sculptures respectively.
Temporary exhibitions
usually focus on contem-
porary artisan-type work
from Argentina's interior
provi nces. Although
the museum has a
varied collection,
many prefer just to
walk around the
beautiful mansion.

crowd from across the country.
Thought to be one of the best
racecourses in the world, the
Hipódromo has three tracks, of
which two are used for training
while the main track is used for
competitions. On average, there
are ten meetings per month,
usually on Mondays,
Saturdays, and Sundays.
Races start every half-hour.
The Hipódromo also hosts
what is easily the biggest
date on the Argentinian
turf calendar, the Gran
Premio Nacional in
November, which draws
massive crowds. The other
prominent race, held
annually, is the Gran de las
Americas. For the best
betting, punters
should visit the
basement of the
Neo -Classical
Tribuna Oficial, where over
4,000 slot machines are kept.
The belle époque architecture of
the grandstand and manicured
gardens adds an elegant touch
to this popular sports ground.

Opened in 1928, Campo
Argentino de Polo de
Palermo is the country's
major stadium and one of
the best places to see inter-
national polo stars, including
Adolfo Cambiaso, one of
Argentina's top polo players.
Also known as Catedral del
Polo, the stadium has a
capacity of 45,000 spectators
and is used for many other
purposes, including concerts.
Polo is played in Buenos
Aires from September through
to December (see p40) .
The Abierto Argentino de
Palermo (Argentinian Open)
is contested at the end of
the season. Everyone enjoys
the tradition of stomping
down the divots on the pitch
at half-time.

Garden sculpture at Museo de
Arte Decorativo

0 Hipódromo
Argentino de
Palermo
Ave del Libertador 4104, Palermo.
City Map 5 D2. Te l [phone].
Ministro Carranza. @ 130, 160,
166. Open varies. 7 0 - =
∑ palermo.com.ar

When Buenos Aires's
Hipódromo Argentino de
Palermo opened its doors in
1876, it had a capacity of only
2,000 people. Today, that has
grown to about 100,000.
Although its early years were
considered its golden days,
major races still pull in a large A polo match in progress at the Campo Argentino de Polo de Palermo