.All Trips / Argentina / South America

Rambling around Recoleta

00 Around Recoleta

Recoleta is an upscale residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires, where my wife and I stayed during our visit to that city.  The area has interesting historic architecture and is where you’ll find the Recoleta Cemetery and the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church.  Some of the most expensive real estate in Argentina is in Recoleta.

Plazio Sarmiento (Ministry of Education), Recoleta

Plazio Sarmiento (Ministry of Education), Recoleta


This post is a compilation of some of the sights we encountered during our wanderings around this part of the city.  One of these features Pizzurno Palace, also known as the Sarmiento Palace (home to the Ministry of Education).
Recoleta is a place families live and play, with some nice parks and green spaces. There’s some interesting public art and …

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“Pic of the Week”, January 31, 2020: La Biela Cafe, Buenos Aires

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You’ll find historic La Biela Café in the upscale neighborhood of Recoleta.  La Biela is thought to be the oldest café in Buenos Aires, dating to the mid-19th century when the area was mostly farm fields.  The café started serving refreshments to wealthy citizens from San Telmo who were traveling by horse and buggy to their vacation homes further north.  La Biela is very close to the Recoleta cemetery and the Church of Nuestra Señora del Pilar.

The place is very popular with locals and tourists.  In the past seventy years it has taken on a car-racing theme because it was a meeting place for motoring enthusiasts in the early days of car travel, and later …

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.All Trips / Argentina / South America

The Church of our Lady of Pilar, Recoleta, Argentina

Buenos Aires Recoleta Cemeteryand Iglesia Nuestra Senora del Pilar tower  080

The historic and beautiful cathedral, Iglesia Nuestra Senora del Pilar (The Church of Our Lady of Pilar), is situated in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Recoleta.  The church adjoins the famous Recoleta cemetery, which we’ve previously visited on this website.

Iglesia Nuestra Senora del Pilar is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Buenos Aires’ Colonial architecture.  It’s the city’s second oldest church and has retained its original altarpiece and icons.   The church is named in honor of the patron saint of the city of Zaragoza in Spain, and was completed in 1732.  Its original architect was a Jesuit, Andres Bianchi, and was built in conjunction with a convent of Franciscans.

Altarpiece, The Church of Our Lady of Pilar, Recoleta

Altarpiece, The Church of Our Lady of Pilar, Recoleta

The monks of Recoletos were expelled from …

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.All Trips / Argentina / South America

Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires Recoleta Cemetery 066

Who would have guessed the most expensive real estate in Buenos Aires is found in a cemetery?  Not only is it expensive, there’s a line waiting to get in (seriously)!  You actually lease a plot here, as I understand it, and don’t permanently own it.  In the future your heirs can cancel the deal or let the lease expire, though it’s so prestigious to have a plot here few do.  Regardless, this piece of pricy land has become an interesting and popular tourist attraction.

Recoleta Cemetery is the final resting place of some of the richest and most important people in Argentina’s history, including politicians, Nobel prize winners, scientists and businessmen.  Obviously only wealthy people can afford the real estate (about …

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