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Barrio de San Telmo

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San Telmo

  • October 2, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by SeenThat from Tel Aviv, Israel
San Telmo

The best time to visit this picturesque neighborhood is on Sunday mornings when Tango dancers make their convoluted way through its huge flea market. Most of the houses belong to earlier centuries and its streets are still paved with cobblestones.

History

Aristocratic families inhabited San Telmo until the yellow fever epidemic in 1871; then they moved to La Recoleta and the new immigrants took their place, the former mansions were transformed into "conventillos" hosting hundreds of newcomers. Nowadays, the neighbourhood has been restored and is a fashionable center for artisans, artists, dancers and tourists.

Tango

This dance is distinctive of the Rio de la Plata basin and apparently has its origins in the fusion of music and dances from Europe and Africa; it is related to the milonga and the habanera dances. The sensuous dance became a symbol of Argentina and can be witnessed on all main spots of Buenos Aires, where a couple of dancers in close embrace and provocative clothes dance in small steps that captivate the audience attention.

Places of Interest:

Flea Market and Plaza Dorrego: Plaza Dorrego, Defensa corner Humberto 1°. The Feria de San Telmo is open every Sunday from 10am and offers antiques, coffee, bars and tango dancers in its almost three hundred stalls. On weekdays, the cafes set their tables on the square itself. Plaza Dorrego was the focal point of the neighborhood and the buildings surrounding it maintain their original design, thus providing a golden opportunity to enjoy the look of nineteenth century Buenos Aires.

Danish Church: 257, Carlos Calvo St. This is a gorgeous Lutheran Church built in 1931 using an easily recognizable Nordic style; at the main door the time of the next service is announced.

Modern Art Museum: 350, San Juan St. This old tobacco warehouse was transformed into a modern art museum hosting a huge collection of contemporary Argentinean art. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays and Holidays from 10am to 8pm; Sunday 11am to 8pm. Admission 1ARP, Wednesdays free.

Russian Orthodox Church: 315, Brasil St. This is a Muscovite style church which provides an intriguing insight into another ethnic group that found a new home in Argentina.

Museum of the Film: 1220, Defensa St. The museum is focused on Latin American films. The Lumiere, Pathe and Gaumont equipment make interesting sights. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11:30am to 6:30pm. Admission 1ARP, Wednesdays free.

National Historical Museum: 1600, Defensa St. Dating back to 1889, this museum shows key events in the Argentinean history. Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 11am to 5pm; Saturdays 3pm to 6pm and Sundays 2pm to 6pm. Free admission.

San Telmo Market: The market is enclosed between Bolivar, Estados Unidos, Defensa and Carlos Calvo. It was built in 1897 and its iron framework is a fantastic view; it offers good local food, works of art and antiques. It is open every day.

French's Mansion: 1062, Defensa St. Built in 1762, nowadays it hosts a gallery with many small antique shops.

From journal Buenos Aires: Frozen Tango

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