Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
listed in the
Buenos Aires Herald
. And the con-
cierge at your hotel should be able to advise you
of them if you inquire.
Buenos Aires is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan
city with a wide range of activities. Enjoy!
Exploring Downtown
Plaza De Mayo
A good place to start is the
Plaza de Mayo, an
attractive tree-lined oasis in the heart of down-
town Buenos Aires and the historical heart of
the city. As previously noted (see
History
), the
city was founded twice. A tiny settlement was
started early in the 16th century by a Spanish
explorer, Pedro de Mendoza. He named it
“Puerto de Nuestra Señora de la Santísima
Trinidad y Ciudad de Nuestra Señora de Santa
María de los Buenos Aires.” Quite a mouthful!
Eventually the name was whittled down to
Buenos Aires or “Good Breezes.” Mendoza had
promised to honor the Virgin (she is the patron
saint of navigators) if the ships in his fleet were
brought safely to shore. Mendoza and his men
moved on and it wasn't until 1580 that the city
you see today was founded. Juan de Garay
marked off a square section of land and called it
the Plaza Mayor. Around the square he desig-
nated areas for the
Cabildo
(Town Hall) a
church and a fort. Houses for the 63 people who
had accompanied Garay took up the rest of the
space. Adjoining the square, a Jesuit mission
was established, as was a military garrison.
