In a quiet corner of Buenos Aires there is a space of such old history that its cobbled streets, its narrow sidewalks, and its old mansion tell the story of the development and growth of the city itself: It is the neighbourhood of Monserrat, west of the port and the place where the political history of the country started.

It owes its name to the Virgin of Monserrat - la Virgen de Nuestra Señora de Monserrat, which original image was hidden from the Moors in the mountains outside Barcelona. A hundred years later, when they were found again, both the Virgin and the Child were of a dark colour, as a consequence of time, and so they started to call her "La Moreneta" or "La Morenita" the Dark or Black one.

From Cataluña in Spain it reached Buenos Aires, where the black community that would take it out in procession every 8th of September each year welcomed it.

The barrio of Monserrat has also been known as the neighbourhood barrio of the drums - "Barrio del Tambor", for the drums that the black Porteños played, forming different groups called Cabunda, Banguela, Mondongo and Angola.

In spite of the fact that the black people have disappeared from Argentina, they have left the memory of their carnivals, where they would dance their joyous candombes and from whence notable musicians such as the Negro Grigera or Bernardo Pintos emerged.

Since its origins, Monserrat was a Spanish barrio or neighbourhood, which immigrants settled mainly along the Avenidas de Mayo, Belgrano and Rivadavia. The whole history of not only the city, but also the whole country can be easily observed through its buildings and plazas, most of them considered Historical Monuments today.

As an example the Plaza de Mayo Square offers the visitor a sample of the different historical times of the country. Split down the middle by the old Recova, which was the place where all the vendors came together during colonial times, it once was the setting for a bullfight in honour of Don José de San Martín, the Libertador.

The Plaza de Mayo was the centre of the square lay out of the city, surrounding it we find the Town Hall or Cabildo, the seat of government during colonial times, today a museum; la Casa Rosada, the Pink House, the seat of the National Executive Power i.e. the presidential palace; and the City Cathedral - la Catedral Metropolitana, built during the XVIIIth century in a neo classical style, which today holds the mortal remnants of the Liberator San Martín.

In the centre of the Plaza one can find the Pyramid - the Pirámide de Mayo, in commemoration of the Revolution of 1810.

A few blocks away, in the corner of Alsina and Defensa, you can visit the Farmacia de la Estrella - the Star Pharmacy, with its wooden entrance and paintings allusive to health. On the first floor you will find the City Museum.

Then, walking towards Bolívar, one reaches the Manzana de las Luces - the Illuminated Quarter, where the visitor must visit the old defensive tunnels of the XVIIIth century, and the Church of San Ignacio.

The Avenida de Mayo is born at his plaza, with its buildings of splendid fronts. The legendary Café Tortoni is one of the most outstanding of these. The Avenida de Mayo leads to the Palace of Congress, where the National Legislature sessions during the legislative year.

Today the barrio holds important office buildings, banks, cafés, hotels, shops and restaurants, apart from being a National Civic and City Government Centre.

Attractions in Monserrat