ARGENTINA REGION BY REGION - Argentina - page 162

5 Gualeguaychú
Road map C2. 140 miles (226 km) SE
of Paraná. * 100,000. @ n
Plazoleta de los Artesanos, Paseo del
Puerto; [phone]. ( Sat. _
Carnaval (Jan & Feb).
∑ gualeguaychuturismo.com

where the General entertained
guests, and the Sala de Tragedia,
Urquiza's bedroom, where he
was assassinated in 1870.
Outbuildings include a private
chapel, notable for its frescoes
and altar. Also set within the
gardens is a large artificial lake.

Derived from the Guaraní
phrase for “river of the large
jaguar,” Gualeguaychú sits on
the bank of its namesake river, a
tributary of Río Uruguay. It is
most famous for its Carnaval,
when thousands of revelers
descend on this small town to
enjoy the country's biggest and
most extravagant summer cele-
bration. Festivities center
around the Corsódromo , an
open parade ground over-
looking Gualeguaychú's old
railroad line and train station.
Outside of Carnaval, the town
attracts visitors for its river
beaches, which stretch over 12
miles (20 km). Parque Urquiza ,
across the river, has some of the
most popular beaches. Also
noteworthy is the town's
colonial architecture; two
immaculately restored early
1800s abodes, Azotea de
Lapalma and Solar de los
Haedo , are open to the public
as museums. Instituto
Magnasco , Gualeguaychú's
main cultural space, houses
many local artworks and
historical artifacts.

7 Colón
Road map C2. 180 miles (290 km) SE
of Paraná. * 22,000. @ n Ave
Costanera y Gouchón, (03447) 421-
233. _ Fiesta Nacional de Artesanías
(Feb). ∑ colon.gov.ar

The grand reception hall at General
Urquiza's Palacio San José
6 Palacio San José
Road map C2. Ruta Provincial 39,
Km 128. Te l [phone].
Open 8am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm
Sat, Sun, & hols. & 8 Spanish only.
∑ palaciosanjose.com.ar

A picturesque settlement on
the western bank of Río
Uruguay, the little town of
Colón is the perfect venue for
a relaxing break. Its riverside
setting facilitates a variety of
activities, including swimming,
boating, and lounging in the
thermal waters of its public
spa. Its balustraded riverfront
stretches 6 miles (10 km)
and overlooks, at its
northern and southern
reaches, long sections
of sandy, palm-fringed
beaches. Boats to the
facing river islands
depart regularly from
the waterfront. The
town's oldest buildings
are found clustered
around the port area.
Here, Estación Fluvial , Colón's
railroad station, is an elegant,
Italianate construction
encircled by tall yatay palms.
Several more historical
buildings front Plaza San
Martín and the main Avenida
12 de Abríl. On the avenue,
Teatro Centenario is a well-
restored theater, dating
back to 1925.

Some 70 miles (110 km)
north of Gualeguaychú,
this Italianate palace is
best reached by car, or
by taxi from Concep-
ción del Uruguay. Built
between 1848 and
1860, it was an archi-
tectural statement of
power and influence
for regional caudillo
and Federalist leader,
General Justo José Urquiza
(1801-70). A national monument,
the palace sits in forested
countryside and is recognizable
by the watchtowers at either
end of its pink, arcaded façade.
Surrounded by magnificent
ornamental gardens, the palace
is built around two courtyards.
Rooms include the richly
decorated Sala de los Espejos,

Bust of General
Justo Urquiza

E Azotea de Lapalma
San Luis y Jujuy. Te l [phone].
Open varies (call in advance).
Closed Sun, Mon, & Tue. & 8 by
prior arrangement (Spanish only).
E Solar de los Haedo
San José y Rivadavia. Te l (03446) 437-
036. Closed Sun, Mon, & Tue. & 8
by prior arrangement (Spanish only).

A relaxing day at the beach on the banks of Río Uruguay

For hotels and restaurants see pp278-83 and pp288-99