Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MUSEO DE ARTE HISPANOAMERICANO ISAAC FERNÁNDEZ BLANCO
MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
(Palacio Noel; 4327-0228;
www.museofernandezblanco.buenosaires.gob.ar
; Suipacha 1422; admission
AR$5; 2-7pm Tue-Fri, 11am-7pm Sat & Sun)
Dating from 1921, this museum is in an old
mansion of the neocolonial Peruvian style that developed as a reaction against French in-
fluences in turn-of-the-19th-century Argentine architecture. Its exceptional collection of
colonial art includes silverwork from Alto Perú (present-day Bolivia), religious paintings
and baroque instruments. There's little effort to place items in any historical context, but
everything is in great condition and well lit, and the curved ceiling in the main salon is
beautifully painted. There's also a peaceful garden.
Also known as the Palacio Noel, after the designing architect, the museum building and
its collections suffered damage (since repaired) from the 1992 bombing of the Israeli em-
bassy, which at the time was located at Arroyo and Suipacha. The space where the em-
bassy was located has since become a small memorial park; you can still see the outline of
the building on a neighboring wall.
The museum has an
annex
in the Congreso neighborhood at Hipólito Yirogoyen 1420
(open noon to 6pm Tuesday to Friday and 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday) whose
main strength is an antique doll collection.
TEATRO NACIONAL CERVANTES
( 4815-8883;
www.teatrocervantes.gov.ar
; Libertad 815)
Six blocks southwest of Plaza San
Martín, you can't help but notice the lavishly ornamented Cervantes theater. From the
grand tiled lobby to the main theater, with its plush red-velvet chairs, you can smell the
long history of this place (somewhat musty). The Cervantes is definitely showing its age,
with worn carpeting and rough edges, but improvement projects are planned. Until then,
enjoy the elegance - however faded - with a tour (call for current schedules). It presents
theater, comedy, musicals and dance at affordable prices.
The landmark building dates from 1921 and was built with private funds, but was ac-
quired by the state in 1926. Its facade was designed as a replica of Spain's Universidad de
Alcalá de Henares. The building underwent remodeling after a fire in 1961.
NOTABLE BUILDING
MUSEO NACIONAL DEL TEATRO
( 4815-8883 ext 156; cnr Av Córdoba & Libertad; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri)
F
This small museum
traces Argentine theater from its colonial beginnings, stressing the 19th-century contribu-
MUSEUM
