Buenos Aires Things to Do Tips by Frisbeeace

The Teatro Colon is one of the finest opera houses in the world. The most famous artists have performed there - Maria Callas, Toscanini, Stravinsky, Placido Domingo and Caruso.

The opera house opened in 1908 with a performance of Verdi's Aida which, in turn, was written by Guiseppe Verdi for the opening of the Suez Canal.

The opera season runs from April to mid-December. The French Renaissance theatre has over 3,000 seats, grand marble staircases, foyers and reception halls around the elegant and acoustically superb auditorium.

Take the two hour guided tour and see how it works with 1,000 artisans at work and the wigs, masks, jewels, shoes, cloaks and elaborate gowns and suits worn in Colon productions by legendary performers.

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Phone: 4378 -7133
Address: Libertad 621 y Toscanini 1168
Website: http://www.teatrocolon.org.ar

La Boca is a colourful and pintoresque neighborhood closely related to the history of Tango. La Boca was originally settled by Italian fishermen and, as a result, is full of Italian bars and restuarants. Necochea Street, where once lived Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, is its restaurant centre.

The houses along the waterfront are painted in bright colours. Which is possibly why so many artists have made La Boca their home. To see some of their work, head to the cobble stoned El Caminito which is closed to traffic and is used as an outdoor gallery and open air theatre. Artists, tango music and merchandise fill the streets.

This is also the home town of Boca Juniors, the most popular soccer team in the country and almost a cult for many.

Visit in the morning and later, lunch at the nearby Puerto Madero area across the bridge.

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Address: La Boca

Finished in 1906 in an Italian academic style with some classical touches, the building is a four-storied rectangle and has two pavilions one each side. Around it there is a Corinthian colonnade. The Salon Azul and its magnificent library, all carved in wood, are worth visiting. The Congress also houses some valuable paintings and Sevres vases.

In front of the Congress building there are two plazas each one with its own monument or statue. One of them is "Le Penseur" by August Rodin. Certainly one of the most impressive is the group in front of the Congress called "Monument of the two Congresses", an allegory that represents the Andes in a granite terrace, and the main rivers of the plains: Parana, Uruguay and Rio de La Plata flowing into a large pool.

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Buenos Aires's oldest park dating from its second foundation in 1580 by Juan de Garay who declared it to be the city's principal square. In 1807, it was renamed Plaza de la Victoria (Victory Square) to celebrate the victory over two successive British invasions.

On May 25, 1810, the plaza saw its first massive political gathering, on the eve of Argentina's emancipation from Spanish rule. The Pyramid that stands in the center of the Plaza de Mayo, dates from 1811but it was movesd to its actual setting in 1884.

Plaza de Mayo has played a fundamental role in almost all the important political and social events in the country's history. On its sides stands Casa Rosada, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (town hall of colonial times). Most of the buildings surrounding it are ministries, banks and insurance companies. Five can be considered tourist attractions: Casa Rosada, Banco de la Nación Argentina, Metropolitan Cathedral, Municipal Executive Building and the Cabildo.

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Buenos Aires first chapel was built in 1585 and was consecrated as a Cathedral in 1622. Its present building was begun in the 17th century, along Renaissance line, but wasn't completed until 1829, when its Neoclassic facade was built. The Cathedral houses a number of works of art including the 18th century colonial altar.

The Cathedral also keeps the flags that Argentine troops captured in different battles and wars. On its right hand aisle, the San Martin mausoleum stands together with the tomb to Unknown soldier. This part of the Cathedral is permanently guarded by the Granaderos.

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The government house stands on the eastern end of the Plaza de Mayo. Casa Rosada's name (Pink House) comes from the time when it was first used as the presidential palace back in 1869 when President Sarmiento ordered the Fort to be painted pink. It was a large Italian style building, with "patios" decorated with palm trees and fountains giving it a Mediterranean air. Later in 1894 it was merged with the adjoining Customs and Post Office buildings.

Casa Rosada is guarded by soldiers of the Granaderos a Caballo regiment (mounted grenadiers) whose uniform is the same that was used since San Martin created the regiment in 1813. A small platoon of Granaderos cross the Plaza everyday at 7 p.m. to lower the flag on the Plaza's flagstaff. Casa Rosada's museum is an interesting spot for visitors.

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Address: Balcarce 59
Directions: Plaza de Mayo

Finished in 1748, this building was the place where, on 25 May 1810, locals seized on the Spanish Crown's political woes in Europe and launched the independence movement. Its left and right wings were demolished to make way for Avenida de Mayo in 1889 and Diagonal Sur in 1931. The original building had five arched on each side of the entrance instead of the actual two. Now it houses a museum guarded by sentinels in period uniforms.

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This modern building was built to house the Costantini collection of Latin American art. The museum opened in 200 to promote Latin American art from the early 20th century to the present day. Many Argentine artists are represented, including Quinquela Martín, Xul Solar, and Antonio Berni. Many Brazilian and Uruguayan works are also shown, as is a famous self-portrait by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. This pleasent gallery also has temporary exhibits, an outdoor sculpture balcony, art book and gift shop, library and a smart café.

Opening hours: Mon, Thurs-Sun 12:00-20:00; Wed 12:00-21:00.
Admission: $4 (USD 1.50). Free Wednesday..

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Phone: 4808-6500.
Address: Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415
Directions: In Barrio Norte, near Palermo gardens
Website: www.malba.org.ar

Founded in 1858, it is the oldest cafe in Buenos Aires where Argentina's most prestigious poets met with their peers who had fled from the Spanish Civil War. Playwrights like Benavente and García Lorca, philosophers like Ortega y Gasset made Tortoni their "home". The Cafe had its own jazz cellar as well as tango program. Its Art Nouveau setting is worthwhile visiting.

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Address: Av. De Mayo 829
Website: www.cafetortoni.com.ar

La Recoleta is an up-market area of shops and hotels. In the heart of this sophisticated neighborhood you'll find the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar and next door the Cementario de la Recoleta where Eva Peron - Evita - is buried. Right across from the cemetery are several outdoor cafes, among them Lola, Clark's, Harper's and the famous La Biela. Right in the square is a very large rubber tree, perhaps the biggest in Argentina.

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