Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
alongside it is known as
La Alameda
. Typical
of many Spanish cities, it dates back to the days
of San Martín. All that remains from that
period is the
Balcón Colonial
. Also on the
Alameda is the
Centro Comercial y
Turístico
, where you can watch traditional
weavers plying their craft and enjoy perfor-
mances of traditional and not so traditional
dances. Nearby at Remedios de Escaleda 1843,
the
Museo Histórico General San Martín
(
425-7947) features memorabilia and docu-
ments from the War of Independence.
Continue south along Avenida San Martín to
Calle Buenos Aires. Like many of the streets
which intersect San Martín, Buenos Aires
undergoes a name change, becoming Necochea
on the west side of the Avenue. Turn onto
Necochea and a block later you'll be on the
northside of the
Plaza San Martín
with the
ever-present statue of the General, majestically
atop a galloping steed, at its center. Step inside
the
Basílica de San Francisco
, final resting
place of General San Martín's daughter
Merceditas, her husband Mariano Balcarce,
and one of their children. The church is also
home of Our Lady of Carmen of the Cuyo,
patron saint of the Ejército de los Andes. The
baton the Virgin is holding was gallantly
awarded to her by General San Martín follow-
ing his victories against the Spanish in
Chacabuco and Maipú in the War of Independ-
ence.
