Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Today Santa Catalina is a church, and a peek inside reveals beautiful gilded works and a
baroque altarpiece created by Isidro Lorea, a Spanish carver.
CENTRO CULTURAL DEL BICENTENARIO
(Ex-Correo Central;
www.ccb.gov.ar
;
Sarmiento 151)
It took 20 years to complete the massive
Correo Central (main post office; 1928), which fills an entire city block. This beaux arts
structure was originally modeled on New York City's main post office; the mansard roof
was a later addition. The building is now being turned into a cultural center with concert
space for the national philharmonic orchestra (and holding nearly 2000 spectators), but no
one knows when it will open; check it out during your tenure and cross your fingers.
NOTABLE BUILDING
MUSEO MUNDIAL DEL TANGO
( 4345-6967; Av de Mayo 833, 1st fl; admission AR$20; 2:30-7:30pm Mon-Fri)
Located below
the
Academia Nacional del Tango
is this tango museum - for fans of the dance only. Just a
couple of large rooms are filled with tango memorabilia, from old records and photos to
historic literature and posters. Tango shoes are also featured, but the highlight has to be
one of Carlos Gardel's famous fedora hats.
MUSEUM
MUSEO MITRE
( 4394-8240; San Martín 336; admission AR$15; 1-5pm Mon-Fri)
This museum is located in
the colonial house where Bartolomé Mitre - Argentina's first legitimate president elected
under the constitution of 1853 - resided with his family. Mitre's term ran from 1862 to
1868, and he spent much of it leading the country's armies against Paraguay. Two court-
yards, salons, an office, a billiards room and Mitre's old bedroom are part of this complex.
Since part of the museum is open air, you may find it closed during heavy rain.
MUSEUM
MUSEO DE LA POLICÍA FEDERAL
( 4394-6857; San Martín 353, 7th fl; 2-7pm Tue-Fri)
F
This quirky police museum displays
a whole slew of uniforms and medals, along with 'illegal activities' exhibits (cockfighting
and gambling), drug paraphernalia (including a fake arm stuck with a needle!) and even a
stuffed police dog. The forensic room way in the back was being remodeled at research
time - it may or may not keep its grisly photos and dummies of hacked-up murder vic-
tims; something to keep in mind if you bring the kids.
MUSEUM
