Plaza Dorrego market


Plaza Dorrego market, in San Telmo neighborhood, has been in place since 1970. Initially, only antiques were offered. Today, it is a traditional place where Argentine and foreign tourists may take a walk. Every Sunday, around eight thousand people fill the square and a great variety of objects are offered in the 270 stands of the market.
On Sundays, in the streets surrounding the square, you can see different artistic tango and folklore shows in addition to plastic artists exhibitions. The market is in the heart of the traditional San Telmo neighborhood where many of its old big houses of the 19th. century were recycled to become antiques shops and first class restaurants.
This market offers from “fonolas” (old record players), second-hand books, tango records and sold-out magazines to valuable antiques, costume clothes, mantillas and embroideries. Additionally, you can get tango dance lessons at the center of the square.

Defensa and Humberto Primo – San Telmo -
Hours: Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm
Bus lines: 2, 3, 10, 17, 22, 24, 28, 29, 33, 39, 45, 54, 61, 62, 64, 70, 74, 86, 91, 93, 100, 103, 126, 143, 152, 159

The Minute House


A long time ago, freedmen were given small plots adjoining their owners’ premises so as to build their own houses. The house in San Lorenzo street, the only sample remaining in Buenos Aires, is 2.17 meters wide by 13 meters long. The building was constructed during the second decade of the 19th. century and it is a residuary space left untouched even after the continuous changes made to that block.
The Minute House is known for this interesting legend: It is said that a freedman lived there because his owner had given him the land to build this house. This is why for a long time people has called it Casa del esclavo liberto (Freedman’s House). Nowadays, it is closed but you can stroll and see the facade of the house.

Pasaje San Lorenzo 380 – San Telmo–
Bus lines: 2, 3, 9, 10, 17, 22, 24, 28, 29, 33, 39, 45, 54, 59, 61, 62, 64, 70, 74, 86, 91, 93, 100, 103, 126, 143, 152, 159.





San Telmo



1. Secretariat of Agriculture, Cattle Raising and Fish
Paseo Colon 922

A building complex designed by architect Andrés Vanelli e Hijos and Kimbau y Co. The neo-Gothic style buildings are located on the avenue and bear the entire superb quality established for public works at the end of the 19th century and beginnings of the 20th century.

2. School of Engineering
Paseo Colon 850

Neoclassic style building, replicating that of the School of Law. It is the outcome of State architectural conception of middle of the 20th century. It formerly seated the ex María Eva Duarte de Perón Foundation.

3. \"Canto al Trabajo\" Monument
Paseo Colon 800

This monument made by the Argentine sculptor Rogelio de Yrurtia (1879-1950) is a sculptural group of 14 human bronze-made figures.

4. Pasaje San Lorenzo
Estados Unidos and Balcarce streets

In this alley -two blocks long- we can visit the Galeria de los Patios de San Telmo, a typical large house of the 18th century, populated by artisans and artists ateliers.

5. \"Casa Mínima\" (The Minimum House)
San Lorenzo 380

Its façade is hardly 2,20 meters wide. It is part of an old construction of the second decade of the 19th century. This type of houses –annexed to the main house- used to be inhabited by slaves.

6. Sur Cafe
Intersection of Estados Unidos and Balcarce streets

It opened its doors in 1967 and became the pioneer of the night show in Buenos Aires.

7. Danish Church
Carlos Calvo 257

The tower and the roofs are clear representatives of the neo-Gothic style. It was designed by the Danish architects Rönnow and Bisgaard. It was inaugurated in 1931.

8. House of Juan carlos Castagnino
Balcarce 1016

This house and the house at the corner date from the ends of the 18th century. It was the house to the artist Juan Carlos Castagnino (1908-1972), a famous painter, worldwide known because of the illustration of Martin Fierro he published in 1963.

9. Gallery of the \"Viejo Hotel\"
Balcarce 1053

Built around 1890 as a small hotel. When the neighborhood was declared as a Historical Area in 1979, the Viejo Hotel became an art gallery and atelier for painters and sculptors.

10. Antigua Tasca de Cuchilleros
Carlos Calvo 319

The front room dates from ends of the 18th century. The rest of the construction came further on. This place harbors a tragic love story. This was the house to Margarita, sergeant Olidens daughter, “mazorquero” of the Governor Juan Manuel de Rosas. The father expected his daughter to marry Ciriaco Cuitiño, boss of the “mazorqueros”. But she escaped with the “payador” she was in love with. Finally, they were found by Cuitiño in the town of Luján. Cuitiño shot Margarita and she returned home to die. There is nowadays a restaurant there.

11. House of Esteban de Luca
Intersection of Defensa and Carlos Calvo streets

The house dates back to the end of the 18th century. Here Esteban de Luca lived. He was a military man, poet and journalist. He actively participated in the English Invasions (1806-1807), as sub-lieutenant of Battalion 3 of Patricians. The house was recycled conserving the architectural elements of the time. At the moment, there is a restaurant there. It has become a National Historical Monument.

12. San Telmo Market
Surrounded by Bolívar, Carlos Calvo, Defensa, Estados Unidos streets.

Its facade presents Italian characteristics while the interior holds an excellent iron structure roofed with foil and glass. It was inaugurated in 1897 and architect Juan Antonio Buschiazzo designed it.

13. Solar de French Gallery
Defensa street between Humberto 1º and Carlos Calvo streets

This was the residence to patriot Domingo French. The front wing dates from 1900 -1910 while the rest dates from 1930.

14. Dorrego Square
Surrounded by Humberto Iº, Defensa, Anselmo Aieta and Bethlem streets

Officially declared as a National Historical Place. This is the oldest square after the Plaza de Mayo. Here you can visit the Fair of Antiques on Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

15. Argentine Penitentiary Museum ‘Antonio Ballvé’
Humberto 1º 378

Designed by architect Antonio Masella, the building dates from 1760. Originally, it was the House of Spiritual Exercises for men. When the Jesuits were expelled in 1767, the place passed onto the Cabildo. Later and up to 1974, it functioned as a Women’s Jail in charge of the Good Shepherd\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Order and the Penitentiary Service. When this Order retires in 1974, the Penitentiary is still in charge up to 1978 when the Women’s Jail is transferred to the town of Ezeiza. The interior of the building holds the chapel of Nuestra Señora del Camen, a construction from 1734.

16. Nuestra Señora de Belén Church - San Pedro Telmo Parish
Humberto 1º 340

The construction of this church started by the end of 1734, designed by the Jesuit architect and monk Andrés Blanqui and the intervention of his partners Juan Bautista Primoli and José Schmidt. Italian master Antonio Masella continued the building and the last restoration was carried out in 1918 by architect Pelayo Sáinz. The facade is of eclectic style and presents neo-colonial architectural elements. On top you can see the image of San Pedro González Telmo. It is a National Historical Monument.

17. Protomedicato - Guillermo Rawson School
Humberto 1º 343

In 1858, it was the first school of Medicine in Buenos Aires. As from 1886, it became dependant from the Secretariat of Education. It is of a neo-colonial style architecture. The magnolia plants perfuming the entrance date back from that time.

18. La Defensa Alley
Defensa 1179

It is a traditional large house of the decade of 1880 and was the residence of the Ezeiza family. The two-story house holds several rooms that lead to a lateral gallery. At the moment, a commercial gallery runs with shops of antique dealers, old times attires, paintings, souvenirs, etc.

19. Museum of Modern Art of Buenos Aires City Government
Av. San Juan 350

It was formerly a deposit of Cigarrillos 43 company. The building dates from 1918 and it was recycled while keeping its original architecture of “utilitarian” style. The museum holds exhibitions of contemporary plastic art.

20. Museum of the Cinema
Defensa 1220

The museum is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm. It holds a films library, collections of posters, clothes, photos and documents.

21. Ex San Telmo Foundation
Defensa 1344

It was built as a large house around 1860, and remodeled by Osvaldo Giesso in the ‘80s. At the moment, there is an art gallery -which can be visited by people- and a theatre school. Its facade replicates a house of the 18th century which blueprints are kept at the National General Bureau.

22. Russian Orthodox Church of The Sacred Trinity
Brasil 315

This church was inaugurated in 1904. The original project was carried out by architect Mihail Preobrazensky (Sacred Synod of Russia) and adapted by architect Alejandro Christophersen. The temple has been built based on the Muscovite style of 17th century. On the facade, there is a Venetian-mosaic-made figure of the Sacred Trinity made in Saint Petersburg.

23. Lezama Park. Monument–Fountain in homage to Pedro de Mendoza
Brasil and Defensa streets

Inauguration of this monument by Juan Carlos Oliva Navarro took place on June 23, 1937. The monument is composed of a square fountain with two drains symbolizing the River Guadalquivir and the River Plate (beginning and ending points of the expedition). The statue to Pedro de Mendoza is made of bronze and it contrasts with a bas-reliefs marble wall representing an indigenous figure. Pedro de Mendoza appears nailing the sword in the soil as a symbol of the possession of lands.

24. Lezama Park. Patio of Sculptures and Amphitheatre
Defensa, Brasil, Paseo Colón and Martín García

Located on a natural gorge. Some people affirm that the first establishment of this city took place in these suburbs. Paul Groussac opposes to this conclusion, since he states it took place at Vuelta de Rocha. At the end of the 18th century, the Royal Company of Philippines settled the deposit of slaves down in the park. In 1806, during the First English Invasion, General Beresford entered through San Martin Street (today Defensa) devastating the last local forces on the Barranca de Marcó (today Lezama Park). Years later, the English David MacKinley installed his week-end cottage at this place, opposite the river. On the building the English flag was hoisted, and for that reason people got used to call it “the Englishmen cottage”. After successive owners, in 1857, Mr Jose Gregorio Lezama, a tradesman from Salta, acquired the property, surrounded it with a high fence of iron grills and enriched the forest atmosphere with exotic plants and trees. Towards 1871, during the yellow fever epidemic, the residence was operated as a Lazaretto. In 1889, when Lezama dies, his widow Angela Álzaga proposes the Mayor to sell the premises to the Community, with the commitment of being a public park. It took then the name of Parque Lezama.

25. Historical National Museum
Defensa 1600

It was founded on May 24 1889. It was settled on the house of Gregorio de Lezama, in 1897. Their line follow Italian architecture, so much applied in Buenos Aires between 1850 and 1880. The premises lighten the traditions of the Revolution of May and the Wars of the Independence and other memorable periods of the national history of the 19th century.

26. Británico Cafe
Intersection of Brasil and Defensa streets

One of the most traditional cafes in Buenos Aires. Although it is owned by Spanish people, the name is an homage to the English immigrants who settled down in that area at the time of the railway construction.