1. - The Viejo Almacén Warehouse
With its lime painted façade, low windows and an iron rail bordering the terrace, the Viejo Almacén warehouse is a typical 19th century construction. It was the site of the first British Hospital for men. Without fuss, it then it turned into a warehouse, wine store and the Volga restaurant.
The rings for tying the horses can still be seen on its façade. But it was in 1969 when Eduardo Rivero turned it into "Tango's Temple". It has been declared a Cultural Interest Site and currently holds tango dinner-shows seven days a week. It is located at the corner of Balcarce and Independencia.

2. - The Parque Lezama Park
It was created over one of the city's natural gorges by wealthy Salteño (belonging to Salta) Jose Gregorio Lezama, on part of what once was his property. When he died, his widow, Angela Álzaga, donated it to the Municipality in 1894. The spacious park is bordered by Avenidas Brasil, Paseo Colón and Martin Garcia avenues and Defensa Street.

Some historians believe this was the first settlement in Buenos Aires. Moreover, they say the estate sheltered the first adobe houses built by Pedro de Mendoza's expeditionary party in 1536.

It is currently a public park with hillocks, fountains and sculptures; where, during weekends, huge crowds of people gather in its famous craftsmanship market.

Over Brasil Street, an amphitheatre similar to those of ancient Greece can be found. It was built in 1914 and the gorges and uneven terrain of the park were well used on its design. Open-air shows are organized there during spring and summer.

Close to it stands the Neptune y las Naiads fountain, original from France and dating back to 1914. The attractive sculptures represent Neptune, god of the oceans in Roman mythology, along with the Naiads which were the mythological creatures guarding the waters of rivers and streams.

It is best to visit the Parque Lezama Park, with its diverse and aged vegetation, during working days and then go to Pasaje Giuffra, located between Avenidas Independencia and Estados Unidos Street, because both places are filled with very picturesque old bars with wooden rods and furniture; and pasta, pizza and grill specialised restaurants for everybody's liking.

3. - The Museo Histórico Nacional National History Museum
This Italian style edifice was built in1846 and is located at Defensa 1600, facing leafy Parque Lezama Park. It was founded in 1889 and offers a panorama of Argentinean history and customs through prints, watercolours, weapons, maps and objects of daily life, since the pre Hispanic indigenous cultures, before the 15th century, up to the 20th century. The edifice is an spectacular mansion that an American entrepreneur, called Charles Ridgley Horne, had built before it was acquired by Jose Gregorio Lezama, who drove the park's embellishment along with French landscaper Carlos Thays. Visits are Tuesdays through Sundays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Guided tours can be scheduled Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 PM. Tel. 4307-1182.

4. - The Monumento a Pedro de Mendoza Monument
Located at the entrance of the Parque Lezama Park, on the intersection of Defensa and Brasil streets, stands the distinctive monument honouring Don Pedro de Mendoza. The first Buenos Aires founder's bronze statue depicts the Conquistador touching the ground with the tip of his sword, symbolizing the possession of the land. Behind the statue rises a marble coated masonry, in which the figure of a native is noticeable.

5. - The Monumento a la Cordialidad Internacional International Friendship Monument It is a gift from Uruguay to the city of Buenos Aires to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the city's foundation. The work has a 15 meters high and 4 meters wide bronze column. It is located in the Parque Lezama Park, close to Avenida Martin Garcia.

6. - The Mural Escenográfico Scenic Mural Painting
It is a recycled 94-house conventillo of the year 1880. Conventillo was the given name to the first collective houses in the city, where immigrants lived. It is located in Av. Almirante Brown 36.

7. - The Museo Vivo del Tango Live Tango Music Museum
It offers images and sounds of the Porteño music. Videos, musical instruments, posters, photographs and personal objects belonging to the most outstanding Argentinean tango promoters are exhibited in it. The visit closes with a theatre representation. It is located in Piedras 720. It opens its doors everyday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and offers shows starting at 9:00 PM.

8. - The Iglesia de San Telmo Church
It was raised to honour San Telmo, protector of the sailors and the fishermen, who gave his name to the neighbourhood barrio. Valuable relics from the English invasion, like a clock offered by Englishmen seeking asylum amongst other historic objects are found inside. Its main nave, in a Latin cross shape, stands out preserved as originally constructed, along with the 18th century attractive image of the Virgen Dolorosa resting in the lateral left nave. It is one of the oldest Catholic temples in the city, built by the Jesuits starting in 1734. It is located in 340 Humberto I Street, between Defensa and Balcarce. It has been declared a National Historic Monument. Tel. 4361-1168.

9.- Iglesia Ortodoxa Rusa de la Santísima Trinidad Orthodox Russian Church
Built in a 17th century Muscovite style, it was inaugurated in 1904. Its five onion like turquoise domes, decorated with mosaics and paintings, are noticeable. Its interior points out to the presence of Russian Byzantine style as well, where colour and light play a preponderant role. Beautiful icons and religious objects can be appreciated on the main altar, and the painting of the dome is worth of admiration.

Tsar Nicolas II and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia contributed with more than 50 boxes filled with artistic and religious objects of great value. Orthodox liturgical music, interpreted by excellent choruses, can be heard during the celebration of its religious services. It is located in 315 Brasil Street. It can be visited Saturdays from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Tel. 4316-4274.

10. - The Plaza Coronel Manuel Dorrego Square
It is a National Historic Site, due to the multitude of patriots that gathered at this precise place on July the 9th of 1816 to confirm Argentinean's Independence, officially declared at Tucumán. Currently, this historic square surrounded by bars and pubs that put their small tables on the sidewalk, also clusters a series of antique dealers where the most diverse objects can be purchased. Picturesque street lamps from the colonial period light the neighbourhood barrio streets at night.

Several of the surrounding colonial conventillos, are currently occupied by artists and artisans workshops that give the neighbourhood barrio an intellectual flair. And on Saturday afternoons it is usual to find old local neighbours entangled in endless card games, comfortably installed in tables and stools they carry themselves. It has been declared a National Historic Monument. It is located in Humberto I to the 400 and Defensa to the 1000.

11. - The Feria de San Telmo Fair
This interesting craftsmanship and antiquities fair, organized with the sponsorship of the Museo de la Ciudad museum, operates since 1970 and opens on Sundays from 10:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the historic Plaza Coronel Manuel Dorrego square. Its movement recalls those of El Rastro in Madrid and the Flea Market in Paris. Mimics, musical, tango dancing and improvised performances are carried out, along with the commercialisation of antique objects of various materials such as porcelain, silver, crystal, glass, iron and wood.
Relics such as vinyl discs, jukeboxes, insignias, jewellery, postcards, maps, bottles, glasses, copper pans, ironworks, advertising cartels and toys can be found at this fair.

12. - The Museo Penitenciario Antonio Ballvé Penitentiary Museum
It maintains the 18th century architectonic elements, and the beautiful temple of Nuestra Señora del Carmen built by the Jesuits in 1730, is found inside. The site was the Bethel Order's hospital, and was used as a prison for a long time. It has been declared a National Historic Monument.

13. - The Casa de Castagnino House
In this house located in Balcarce 1016, with its end of the 18th century façade, lived since 1968 painter Juan Carlos Castagnino (1908-1972), noted for his illustrations of Jose Hernandez' novel Martin Fierro. An art gallery with a room reserved for the illustrious painter can be appreciated inside. There is a sort of café-concert working at night that adds a magic halo to the Porteño neighbourhood barrio's nightlife.

14. - The Pasaje de La Defensa Mansion
It is a mansion from 1880 that keeps its original style. It belonged to the Ezeiza family. With three consecutive patios it recreates the colonial Buenos Aires. It currently holds a mall and antiquity shops, along with cafe rooms worth visiting. It is located in Defensa 1179 and opens Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

15. - The Monumento Del Canto al Trabajo Praise to Work Monument
Inaugurated in 1926, this work is owed to Argentinean sculpture Rogelio Yrurtia. Of classic style, it is dedicated to praise working. It shows a huge rock dragged with ropes and cables by individuals of both sexes and all ages. It is located in the Plazoleta Coronel Manuel de Olazábal square (Av. Paseo Colón to the 800)

16. - The Iglesia Dinamarquesa - Danish Church
This Lutheran temple is located on Carlos Calvo 257 and was built in 1931. Its façade is of neo gothic style. It presents a stepped front culminating on top of a tower that remarks its external lines. Inside, the temple holds a model of the Copenhagen Ship, of Danish origin, that shipwrecked during the 1920s after she anchored at the Buenos Aires port; as well as chandeliers brought in directly from Denmark.

17. - The Casa de Santiago de Liniers House
Santiago Antonio Maria de Liniers y Bremond (1753-1810), sailor and politician of French origin at the service of Spain, was the penultimate viceroy of Rio de la Plata between 1807 and 1809, and served heroically against the English invasions. He lived in this house, built in 1788, between the years 1806 and 1809; and inside he signed the conditions of the English capitulation with British general Beresford after his failure to invade the viceroyalty in 1806. The house, which keeps its original front with an outstanding carved wooden door of the colonial period, belonged to Liniers' father in law, Don Martin de Sarratea. It has been declared a National Historic Monument.

18. - The Mercado de San Telmo Market
Inaugurated in 1897, this picturesque market is surrounded by Porteño history and tradition. Its internal iron made structure with its plates and glasses is outstanding. It stands in the block limited by Bolivar, Carlos Calvo, Defensa and Estados Unidos streets.

19. - The Casa Mínima House
This minute 20th century house, sited in Pasaje San Lorenzo 380, is called Casa Mínima. It has a 2.30-meter front and has a distinctive small balcony on its upper floor.

HOW TO GET THERE

Bus Lines 2, 9, 10, 20, 22, 24, 25, 28, 29, 33, 46, 53, 54, 61, 64, 86, 93, 126, 142, 143, 152 y 159.

Neighbourhoods San Telmo