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Photo: User:Roberto Fiadone, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This block, surrounded by the streets Alsina, Moreno, Peru and Bolivar, is home to many of the most important and traditional educational, religious and cultural institutions of Buenos Aires, dating back to the 17th and 18th century. The name of this block comes from the number of intellectual institutions that were present in the old days. One of the most interesting attractions is a mysterious subterranean network of tunnels that communicates each building.
The Illuminated Block is a historical landmark in the Monserrat neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
During colonial times, this building served as the government house of Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. Today, the building, now a museum, is much smaller than it once was, due to the construction of 2 avenues but remains an attractive building. The classic white facade dates from the 18th century. The balcony on the second storey provides a good view of the Plaza.
Buenos Aires House of Culture
This is the Government Cultural House of Buenos Aires. Check out the "Salon Dorado", which design is inspired by the Palace of Versailles. Also, the Salon Dorado hosts music performers every Friday 19:00.
A neoclassical cathedral containing the tomb of José de San Martín. The tomb is protected by a ceremonial armed guard. A most unusual sight to see inside a church and leads one to wonder about the relationship of the church and the state in Argentina. The exterior of the church has papal symbols affixed as a reference to the Argentinian Pope Francis (who criticised the relationship of the church and state).
Casa Rosada is owned by the government of Argentina and houses the Presidential offices, it is the President's workplace. It looks out from the eastern side of the Plaza de Mayo to the River Plata. The salmon coloured building is one of Argentina's iconic sights.
The most important architectural building in San Telmo and one of the most important in the city. It has 200 years of history. You only visit by guided tour which takes about an hour. The above ground part of the magnificent old building together with its watchtower is great but it is the subterranean part of the tour which is of most interest. The original owners plainly would have been counted amongst the wealthiest families in Argentina but the immense amount of money spent by the current owners in restoring the building suggests that they are in the same company.
A famous tango venue featured in many films. The building has beautiful architecture, and there are tango lessons and Milongas (dance parties) offered there daily.