At 60 kilometres north of the Federal Capital, the administrative area of Escobar was the habitat of a group of aborigines dedicated to hunting and fishing, who never imagined one day that very same space would be named the National Capital of Flowers.

Its western origins date back to 1580, when Juan de Garay made the first land distribution amongst the 63 men who accompanied him on the second foundation of Buenos Aires. For more than four centuries tradition has kept the name of the first owner of the "Isle of Escobar": Don Alonso de Escobar.

Many years later, in 1751, the Belemnite fathers acquired a lot 3000 yards long and a league and a half wide from its new proprietor, Nicolas de la Quintana; although, in the following years the Order got rid of these lands, which were purchased by Gervasio de la Cruz. His heir, Eugenia Tapia de Cruz, extended the property and founded the town, which she named Belen.

With the arrival of the railroad in 1876, the region reaffirmed itself as a zone of agriculture production. The station built in the town was named Escobar.

Nevertheless, the true social and industrial boost would begin in the year 1924, when a Japanese citizen called Gashu, who discovered the goodness of the zone for the production of flowers, settled in the land. Along with a group of Japanese immigrant workers he started the first large cultivations. Just five years later producers of Portuguese, Italian, Belgian and Dutch origins were emulating him.

Nowadays, with almost 400 floral establishments, this city is the main producer of flowers in the province. The numerous nurseries, with a huge offer in plants and flowers, have become a permanent attraction, especially during weekends.

The Municipality of Escobar, in the Province of Buenos Aires, is sitting on discreet slopes alternated with bogs and hillocks in wetlands with the shape of washbasins along the Parana River, composing the typical landscape of the isles. The highest point is located in the barrio neighbourhood of Parque El Cazador.

Escobar is currently a neuralgic point in the communications with the MERCOSUR and a most sought after place for people looking forward to making of this place their residence, due to its quietness and natural beauty. It is one of the most interesting options for mini tourism.

HOW TO GET THERE

The City of Belen de Escobar is located 60 kilometres north of the Federal Capital, to which it is connected through the Sol Highway (Pan American Route) and Routes 25 and 26 that in turn connect it with other roads.

Belen de Escobar can be accessed by train, on the Mitre Railroad (branch-lines Villa Ballester and Tigre); by T. A. Chevallier, from Once; by Parana Express, from Saavedra Bridge; by Line 60, from Constitution, Congress and Plaza Italia. Other firms connect travellers with Pilar, Luján, San Miguel, and other localities in the Province of Buenos Aires.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Japanese Garden
It is located on the intersection of Alberdi and Spadaccini Streets, and was built and donated to the community by the Japanese colony in celebration of their 40th anniversary in these lands of Escobar. It is a classical type of garden, called "Tsukiyama Sansui" (Mountain - Water). Most of the stone lanterns were brought from Japan, as well as the fishes that populate the waters of the pond, thanks to diverse donations. Its construction style is unique in Latin America.

General San Martin Square
It is the main plaza in Belen de Escobar, and the bust of Liberator General San Martin stands in the middle of the lot, while that of Remedios de Escalada is on one of its sides. On one of its extreme sides there is a replica of the Mayo Pyramid, and on the other the bust of the founder of the city: Doña Eugenia Tapia de Cruz. Its great variety of flowers and tree species are zealously looked after by the locals, and they make of this an ideal place for resting and gathering.

Parish "Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ"
It was Doña Eugenia Tapia de Cruz who donated this land, where on December the 25th of 1887 the first wooden chapel was raised and blessed. In the year 1908 this first chapel was substituted by the current church of Roman style. The main altar is made of marble from Carrara, and two altars dedicated to the Purest Conception and the Holiest Virgin of Luján rise on the sides. The remains of Doña Eugenia rest in this church.

Eva Peron Boulevard
The main reason to undertake this work was to give an urban and scenery response to the space resultant from the canalising of the Tajamar Stream. There is a full body sculpture of Eva Duarte Peron in the central plaza, which gives its name to the boulevard.

Barrio Neighbourhood El Cazador
In its early years it was an estancia where deer hunting was practiced; though little by little those looking for a peaceful place to dwell established themselves in these lands where the ravines dominate the valley. Most of the houses show a construction of country style, and there is a huge 63-metre high chimney standing out amongst them, inheritance of an alcohol distillery that worked in the place. The Escobar Nautical Club is nearby, and a mysterious indigenous cemetery can be found at a few kilometres. There is a mini zoo in this barrio with different animals, which is especially attractive for the little ones.

Doctor Agustin Campiglia Historic Regional Museum
Its name reminds us of an outstanding doctor in this community; and it houses numerous objects linked to the historical, social and cultural development of Escobar. The objects of archaeological character and the collection of autochthonous fauna jut out. Its parks and gardens are the ideal setting for performing shows in open air.

Barrio Obrero (Working-Class Neighbourhood)
It was inaugurated during the first half of the 1950s, and it represents the classical architecture of Peron's chalet style applied on social dwellings.

San Vicente de Paul School - Floral Chapel of the Miraculous Medallion
This building that used to be a religious seminar now shelters the House of Spiritual Retreats and the Bachelor School. The small though picturesque Floral Chapel of the Miraculous Medallion is adjacent to this building.

Combatants of the Malvinas and Islands of the South Atlantic Plaza
It was conceived as a true homage to the Argentine heroes who fought on the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands; there we can appreciated the sculptural motif called "The Heroes of the South", designed by Eduardo Audivert, and made by Ernesto Bertedor, which represents the four locals who gave their lives on this deed in the South Atlantic.

Brigadier Juan Manuel de Rosas Plaza
It was inaugurated in 1997, and its design is owed to sculptor Julio Cesar Dominguez. This garden of colonial style allows visitors to enjoy a stroll amongst its rose bushes and jasmines. There is a bronze statue dedicated to Rosas, the only one showing him in full body in the country, standing in the centre. The gardener wears a replica of the bright red coloured suits used by Rosas' militiamen.

Temaikén Theme Park
Temaikén, "Land of Life", was designed for the purpose of surprising visitors while they go around, offering them the chance to watch a great variety of wild animals in their original habitats from different spots. It also has more than 1000 trees and shrubs, and a technological infrastructure of last generation discreetly disseminated in a total surface of 34 hectares.

In order to awaken visitors' curiosity, the Interactive Centres in Temaikén combine setting, audiovisual and informatics resources. They offer an integral vision of the way ecosystems work and, fundamentally, invite to take conscience of the importance of protecting nature.

You can watch white tigers and hippopotamuses in transparent lagoons on a tour along its attractive circuit, as well as a peculiar movie theatre covering 360º with eight screens, an important aquarium with different marine species (where the sharks swimming a few centimetres above our heads stand out), and a flashy tunnel that guides us towards the subterranean Patagonian region, amongst many other attractions.

The park has a great variety of trees, shrubs and plants in general; each one of them identified with a signboard so that travellers are able to sort them out.

Nature dazzles us constantly in this huge park; while at the same time educates us; on a tour estimated to take four hours, you can watch fishes, mammals, plants, birds and reptiles of the most variegated species.

Temaikén has an ample gastronomic proposal too, composed by five theme locals and four vending stands offering fast food. Beside them, there are resting areas in the shade, which are distributed along the park in the following places: Zebras' Post, Bats' Post, 360º Movie Theatre Post and Chumbeada Post.

The park opens its gates Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 to 20:00 hours. For further information you can call (03488) 43-6900; for consultations and information regarding the educational programs, call (03488) 43-6890.

From Temaikén you can directly enter Munchi's Farm with the same ticket.

Munchi's Farm
It is a large natural space formed by trails and an artificial lagoon; here you can watch more than 200 different bird species coming from all corners of the world from "The Place of the Birds", with the swan goose, the crested screamer, the rhea and the southern royal lapwing standing out. All the animals have been born in captivity; therefore, they have not been violently extricated from their natural habitats.

"The Farm" is also located in this immense establishment, where you can find animals such as antelopes, rheas, lambs, Jersey calves and cows, rabbits, the lesser rhea, fowls and sheep; as well as birds such as toucans, flamingos and macaws, which provide the coloured and exotic tone.

It houses Munchi's Ice Cream Parlour, where you can appreciate the Jersey cows that provided the milk to make them. In this sector children will be able to enjoy the animals and learn country tasks, such as milking a cow.

Besides, you can eat at different establishments such as La Parrilla, which offers loins, chickens, empanadas and hamburgers with first quality meat; La Posta, where guests can ask for juices, pancakes and toasts; and lastly El Almacen, where you can purchase handmade produces such as pure honey, milk sweet and cheeses coming from the Jersey cows.

There are also several activities, such as a drawing and painting workshops, photo exhibitions, plays for children, puppets, paper recycling and varied games in open air for kids.

It is undoubtedly an ideal place for children to get in contact with the animals and nature. There are also schools and educational groups attending the installations on working days.

Working hours are from 10:00 to 19:00 hours on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; and from 10:00 to 18:00 Mondays through Fridays. For further information regarding guided or group visits call (03488) 43-6890.

Train Museum
This museum was created by the Rail Friends Club, an entity with non profitable endings dedicated to the preservation of objects that belonged to the National Railroads. You can see objects from the early XX century, bibliography, pictures and old maps, amongst many other objects related to trains.

Tomas Hugo Seminari Municipal Theatre
The original building was built by the Italian Society of Mutual Help, and it became part of the municipality's patrimony in 1998, being totally refurbished since then.

Podesta Boulevard and John XXIII Plaza
It has a statue of John XXIII made by sculptor Ernesto Bertedor.

Visit to Nurseries
There are many nurseries that tourists can visit in the zone of Escobar and the surroundings; it is a true floral exhibition throughout the year.

FEASTS

Flower's National Feast
The Flower's National Feast takes place between the last week of September and the first fortnight of October; besides the floral exhibition, there are car parades and the election of the Flower's National Queen. Year after year nurseries honour the qualification of Escobar as the Flower's City with their production.

National Feast of the Isle and the Islander
It is commemorated every year at the banks of the Parana de Las Palmas River. Parades of ornamented vessels take place and the National Ambassador of the Argentine Islands is elected, amongst other events. Teenagers from schools and social centres take part on the celebrations with a series of activities and contests.