Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PALACIO SAN MARTÍN
( 4819-7000 ext 8092; Arenales 761; Línea C San Martín)
This impressive art nouveau man-
sion (1912) is actually three independent buildings around a stone courtyard. It was de-
signed by architect Alejandro Christophersen and boasts marble staircases, grandiose din-
ing rooms and a garden containing a chunk of the Berlin Wall. A small but good
museum
displays pre-Columbian artifacts from the northwest, along with some paintings by Latin
American artists. Free tours happen at 3pm on Thursdays (bring ID), but can be suspen-
ded at any time. Enter via Esmeralda 1231.
Originally built for the powerful Anchorena family, Palacio San Martín later became
the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry; today it's used mostly for official purposes.
NOTABLE BUILDING
EDIFICIO KAVANAGH
(Florida 1035)
A feisty Irishwoman funded the construction of this handsome 120m art-deco
apartment building, which was the tallest skyscraper in Latin America at the time of its
construction in 1935. A local rumor claims that the heiress, vengeful towards another aris-
tocratic family for scorning her daughter, built the structure that high to block light from
entering the basilica where her rivals attended Mass every Sunday.
NOTABLE BUILDING
BASÍLICA DE SANTÍSIMO SACRAMENTO
(Plaza San Martín 1039)
In the shadow of the Kavanagh building is this French-style church
built by the Anchorena family in 1916. Inside, check out the original tiled floor, stained-
glass windows, stone columns and wedding-cake-like altar.
CHURCH
TORRE DE LOS INGLESES
MAP
LANDMARK
GOOGLE MAP
(Torre Monumental; 4311-0186; Plaza Fuerza Aérea Argentina; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6:30pm
Sat & Sun; Línea C Retiro)
F
Standing prominently across from Plaza San Martín, this
76m-high miniature version of London's Big Ben was a donation from the city's British
community in 1916. During the Falklands War of 1982 the tower was the target of bombs,
and the government officially renamed it Torre Monumental - but the name never really
stuck. You can enter inside the base of the tower, where there are a few historical photos,
but folks aren't allowed up the elevator.
The plaza in which it stands used to be called Plaza Británica, but is now the Plaza
Fuerza Aérea Argentina (Argentine Air Force Plaza).
