Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Basílica, however, is not only a Baroque jewel
with a valuable collection of religious art; it also
served as a relief station for the British during
the invasions of 1806 and remains the only
church in Buenos Aires to keep its cemetery.
The Basílica
was declared a
National His-
toric Monument
in 1942.
The old
Convent of the Recoletos
, at Calle
Junín 1930 is now the
Centro Cultural de la
Ciudad de Buenos Aires
. The convent occu-
pied this site from 1732 until 1822, and was
used as a home for the reclusive monks. After
1822 it served a number of different purposes.
Among other things, it was an old peoples'
home called the
Hogar General Viamonte
, a jail,
a hospital, and an army barracks. In 1979 the
city decided to house its cultural center here.
The center boasts an excellent collection of
20th-century Argentine art and offers work-
shops on photography, art restoration and
other interesting topics. Special art exhibits are
held here as well. Check schedules.
The Eduardo
Sivori Art
Museum, open
daily 4-8 pm,
46-9664.
As the saying goes, “You ain't seen nothing yet.”
The most interesting site in La Recoleta is the
Cementerio de La Recoleta
(Recoleta Ceme-
tery), marked by a majestic neoclassical portico
and entrance. The cemetery opened in 1822 on
the site of the old convent's orchard.
The Cemetery is
at the corner of
Junín and
Quintana. It's
open from 8 am
daily.
Many of Argentina's famous citizens are buried
here. The graves are spread over 10 acres of
land and total an incredible 7,000. In addition
to the facts, there are some quaint and hard-to-
believe tales relating to some of the dead. Ask
the groundskeeper about the grave of Señorita
Rufina Cambaceres and he will lead you to it.
