Category Archives: Museums
Day Trip to La Plata
(Photo by mccopa)
La Plata is the capital of Buenos Aires province. It is commonly referred to as the “ciudad de los tilos” (linden city) because its streets and squares are lined with linden trees. Its most common nickname however, is “ciudad de las diagonales” (city of diagonals), because urban planner Pedro Benoit, designed its unique city grid full of diagonal streets with small parks or squares every six blocks. It also has rich architecture including a Le Corbusier building, the Catedral de La Plata, which is the largest church in Argentina, and La Plata University, which includes an observatory and a natural history museum, amongst others.
Some places to visit:
Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata: This famous natural sciences museum has a permanent exhibit that traces the history of life from the inorganic to the organic and concluding with mankind and culture. It showcases over 2,500,000 objects including dinosaur fossils. Open Tue-Sun from 10am-6pm. Tickets 6pesos. Paseo del Bosque S/Nº. La Plata. (54-221) 425-7744 / 9161 / 9638. museo@museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar.
Catedral Metropolitana de La Plata: This stunning New Gothic style church is the largest in Argentina, and has 37 French and German vitraux, impressive carvings and religious icons and an ecclesiastic museum. Open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm and Sundays from 9am-8pm. calle 14 between 51 and 53. La Plata. museocatedral@speedy.com.ar.
Casa Curutchet: Swiss architect Le Corbusier built this house for Dr. Curutchet between 1949 and 1953. Now a day it is leased to the Colegio de Arquitectos and can be visited from Tuesday- Friday between 10am-2pm. Entry fee: 40 pesos. 53 Street # 320. La Plata. – Buenos Aires – Argentina. casacurutchet@capba.org.ar.
Parque Provincial Pereyra Iraola: This natural reserve on the outskirts of La Plata city once belonged to the aristocratic Pereyra Iraola family. The premises, which spread over 10,000 hectares, have over 100 tree species, and are commonly visited for bird-watching and horseback riding. It is also an architectural landmark as it has a pampa-style estancia from the 1800’s, where the family lived.
República de Los Niños: This Disney-style children’s theme park on the outskirts of La Plata was built in the early fifties for civic learning. The team of architects based the design on stories by Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm brothers and legends by Tennyson and Mallory. The park also includes a doll museum with dolls from all over the world. The theme park can be visited every day from 10am-6pm and costs 10pesos to get in. Camino General Belgrano and 501, M. B. Gonnet, La Plata. 0221-484-1409.
How to get to La Plata:
The best option is to take a long distance bus from Retiro, which takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic and on the bus. Buses leave every twenty minutes from the Retiro bus terminal, and tickets cost 20 pesos for the fast bus and 10 pesos for the slower bus that also stops at Constitucion. The bus service is Terminal Costera linea 195 and the timetable is available here.
Another option, which takes longer, is to take the train from the Constitución Train Station. See timetable here.
There is also an English Tour of La Plata with hotel pick-up and drop-off. More information here.
Bye Bye American Pie at the MALBA
(Nan Goldin photography by anti.deity)
The MALBA museum of Latin American Art inaugurates today a much awaited exhibit on American Contemporary Art.
Named after Don McLean’s song American Pie, about the loss of innocence of the 60`s generation, the exhibit explores the cultural transformation of the United States through the pieces of seven renowned American contemporary artists; Jean-Michel Basquiat, Larry Clark, Nan Goldin, Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, Cady Nolan and Paul Mc Carthy.
More than a hundred pieces including photographs, installations and paintings from public and private collections will be showcased, kicking off the museum’s 2012 exhibit calendar.
Parallel to Bye Bye American Pie, the museum will also be inaugurating Brailles y relecturas de la Biblia, an important exhibit on Leon Ferrari, an Argentine artist who, like his American counterparts, also explores themes relating to cultural and political dominance.
Both exhibits will be open to the public from the 30th of March to June-July.
Other collections being displayed at the MALBA include their new acquisitions exhibit, and their permanent Latin American Art from 1945-1990 showcase. However, many of the most relevant pieces of the permanent collection will not be available to the public as they will be displayed in the Houston Museum of Fine Arts until October.
The MALBA also has a monthly program of historic, arthouse and independent films that are screened from Thursday to Sunday. Find their program here.
Opening hours:
Thursday-Mondays midday-8pm.
Wednesdays- Midday-9pm.
Tuesdays closed.
Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415 , Recoleta
4808-6500
Buenos Aires Art Museums
(photo by majisabel)
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (MNBA): Set in the heart of Recoleta, the National Fine Arts Museum has 10,000 art pieces by renown national and international artists such as Quinquela Martín, Pettorutti, Prilidiano Pueyrredón, Antonio Berni, Goya, Picasso, Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, Degas, Chagall and Modigliani amongst many others. Av. Del Libertador 1473, Recoleta. 5288-9900 .
Museum opening hours
Tuesday to Friday: 12.30 – 8.30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 9.30 a.m. – 8.30 p.m.
Monday closed
Museo de Arte Latino Americano de Buenos Aires (MALBA): The MALBA is set in a modern building and showcases an impressive collection of Latin-American art from the twentieth century. The museum, which has become one of the most popular cultural centers in the city, offers a unique collection of sculptures, drawings, paintings, collage, photographs and objects by artists from Central and South America. The museum also hosts film screenings and interesting exhibitions and conferences and has a highly recommendable restaurant. Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Recoleta. 4808-6500.
Museum opening hours
From Thursday to Monday: 12.00 am to 8.00 pm
Wednesdays: 12.00- 9.00 pm
Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires (MAMBA): Lovers of modern art are now welcome to visit the recently re-inaugurated MAMBA. The museum, located in the neighborhood of San Telmo, is made up of two exhibition halls with two different collections. “Narrativas Inciertas” is an assembly of pieces by contemporary and up-and-coming local artists. Whilst “El imaginario de Ignacio Pirovano” displays a donated collection which includes both local and international modern art. Av. San Juan 350, San Telmo. 4342-3001/2970.
Museum opening hours
Monday to Friday from 12.00am to 7.00pm
Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00am to 8.00pm.
Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo (MNAD): The Decorative Art Museum is a palace from the beginning of the 20th century. Designed by French architect René Sergent in 1911 and built with European materials it is a great example of French architecture in Buenos Aires. Its marvelous collection of European and Oriental paintings and sculptures, the great hall and the impressive staircase make this place well worth a visit. Av.del Libertador 1902, Recoleta. 4801-8248
Museum opening hours:
Tuesdays to Sundays from 2.00pm to 7.00pm
Mondays closed
Guided tours in English are available every day at 2pm
Museo de Arte Hispanoamericano Isaac Fernandez Blanco: Set in the neo-colonial Palacio Noel, the focus of this museum is Hispanic-American art. An impressive display of antique and religious objects, furniture, silver, and paintings dating back to the 1700´s depict a key historic moment where two very different cultures collided to define what South America is today. The museum also hosts concerts, special exhibits and other cultural events. Suipacha 1422, Downtown. 4327.0272.
Museum opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday from 2pm-6pm
Saturday and Sunday from 12am-6pm.
English tours must be booked in advance.
Museo de Arte Español Enrique Larreta: This Spanish Art Museum, decorated as a Spanish renaissance palace and surrounded by a unique Spanish Muslim garden, was the home of author Enrique Larreta. His extensive collection of sculptures, paintings and furniture mostly from the Renaissance and Baroque periods can be appreciated in this ornamented historical landmark. Juramento 2291, Belgrano, 4784-4040.
Museum Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday from 1pm-7pm
Saturday from 10am-8pm
Museo de Arte Popular Jose Hernández: Popular art and local artisans work are displayed in this museums, where you will find ceramics, baskets, knits, instruments and other handmade traditional objects made from local materials. Av. Libertador 2373, Recoleta. 4803-2384
Museum opening hours:
Wednesday to Friday from 1pm-7pm,
Saturday and Sunday from 10am-8pm
Museo de Esculturas Luis Perlotti: Luis Perlotti was a distinguished Argentine sculptor who dealt with native themes and indigenous imagery, as well as producing sculptures and monuments of local characters of the artistic and political scene. In 1969 he donated his house and workshop in Caballito for its use as a museum. The museum showcases an ample selection of his works as well as displaying sculptures by other renowned Argentine artists. Additionally the museum showcases the late sculptors collections of native textiles and archeological objects acquired on his journeys through Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Pujol 644, Caballito. 4433-3396.
Museum opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday from 11am-7pm
Museo de Artes Plasticas Eduardo Sivory: Ideally located next to the Palermo rose gardens this intimate museum showcases a collection of Argentine art from the twentieth century. Temporary exhibits are also held in this museum which aspires to promote the local artists and industry. Av. Infanta Isabel 555, Palermo. 4774-9452
Museum opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday from midday-8pm
Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-8pm
Museo de Bellas Artes Benito Quinquela Martín: An impressive collection of Argentine art can be appreciated in this museum set in the heart of La Boca, where its famous resident artist Quinquela Martín donated much of his work in support of the local art industry, and of the education of children through art. Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1835, La Boca. 4301-1080.
Museum opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am-5.30pm
Museo de Xul Solar: This lovely intimate art museum exhibits artists Xul Solar´s colorful metaphysical dreamlike paintings, and also some of his nutty but brilliant inventions, such as a new global language, and the Panjuego, a game which he made up and played with many of his friends including Borges whose books he sometimes illustrated. Laprida 1212, Palermo. 4824-3302.
Museum opening hours:
Monday to Friday from midday- 8pm.
Saturday from midday to 7pm.
Places to Visit: Luis Perlotti Sculpture Museum
(Sculpture by Luis Perlotti of Luis Angel Firpo at the Recoleta Cemetery. Photo by Sebastian-Dario)
Luis Perlotti was a distinguished Argentine sculptor who dealt with native themes and indigenous imagery, as well as producing sculptures and monuments of local characters of the artistic and political scene.
In 1969 he donated his house and workshop in Caballito for its use as a museum. The museum showcases an ample selection of his works as well as displaying sculptures by other renowned Argentine artists. Additionally the museum showcases the late sculptors collections of native textiles and archeological objects acquired on his journeys through Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.
Museo de Esculturas Luis Perlotti
Pujol 644, Caballito
4433-3396
museoperlotti_prensa@buenosaires.gob.ar
Open: Tue-Sun 11am-7pm
Top 10 Things to Do in San Telmo
(Photo by J)
1- Browse the San Telmo Antique Market. Every Sunday over 10 000 visitors from all over the world stop by this world famous market where treasures and trinkets abound. Sundays on Plaza Dorrego and Defensa Street.
2- Visit the many museums in the area and find out more about modern art, puppets, fashion, and the penitentiary. Museum of Modern Art (MAMBA)- Av. San Juan 350. 4342-3001/2970. Puppet Museum (Museo Argentino del Titere)- Piedras 905. 4304 4376. Clothing Museum (Museo Nacional del Traje)- Chile 832. 4343 8427. Penitentiary Museum- Humberto Primo 378. 4361-0917.
3- Take a tour of archeological relic El Zanjon de Granados. Its mysterious hallways and tunnels date back to the 1500’s and were discovered under layers of constructions from other historical periods. El Zanjon de Granados- Defensa 755, 4361-3002.
4- Discover the local art scene by taking a Juanele San Telmo Art Walk- The tour, lasting three hours will show you graffiti, street art, galleries and museums of this colorful neighborhood which so many artist are inspired by. The walk starts at Balcarce 1150 on Tue-Thur 3pm. Book in advance at 4038 6180. More information here.
5- Stop for a cup of coffee at one of the charming Bares Notables. The ornate wood and glass, tiled floors and suggestive creaks will transport you to a different time and place. Try Bar el Federal-Carlos Calvo 559. 4300-4313, El Hipopotamo-Avenida Brasil 401. 4300 8450, and Cafe Dorrego-Defensa 1908. 4361-0141.
6- People watch at Plaza Dorrego. Live music, sensual tango dancers, artisans and all surrounded by cobblestones and cafes are the reason why this Plaza is one of the San Telmo landmarks.
7- Eat local food at a traditional restaurant. Try homemade meals at Lezama, which has been a neighborhood classic for 80 years Brasil 349. 4361-0114, share a table in Cafe San Juan, famous for its top quality food and friendly atmosphere Av. San Juan 450. 4300-1112, or have a big tasty “milanesa” in soccer-flag clad Manolo- Bolivar 1299. 4307-8743.
8- Watch the Evita Vive show, a staged recreation of Evita’s life with music, and dancing. Moreno 364. info@evitavive.com. 6091 2092.
9- Go for some live music to La Trastienda, a small intimate music theatre with great acoustics where local and international talents play jazz, classical, reggae, blues, and rock. Balcarce 460. 4342 7650.
10- Bar hop until the early dawn. Try Doppelganger for top quality cocktails and glamour -Av. Juan de Garay 500. 4300-0201, Gibraltar for draught beer, great curries and a laid-back atmosphere -Peru 895. 4632-5310, or La Puerta Roja for boisterous lat night partying -Chacabuco 733. 4362-5649.
Off the Beaten Path: Museo Casa de Yrurtia
(Canto al Trabajo- Rogelio Yrurtia by puroticorico)
Once the home of sculptor Rogelio Yrurtia, this beautiful colonial house displays his belongings including interesting objects, textiles (which he collected) and ceramics, many from China, Japan, Holland and Java, a collection of Argentine paintings, and many of his own sculptures and sketches of some of the city monuments which he was responsible for. Amongst the monuments you may have seen whilst walking through the city are “Canto al trabajo” on Paseo Colon and Independencia in San Telmo, “Justicia” in the Tribunales Palace, and Monument to Coronel Dorrego on Suipacha and Viamonte amongst others.
Museo Casa de Yrurtia
O Higgins 2390, Belgrano
4781-0385
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 1pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 3pm-7pm. Closed on national holidays.
Off the Beaten Path: Day Trip to San Isidro
(Museo Pueyrredon by Fernando)
Although out of the way from the downtown area, San Isidro is a historical neighborhood founded in 1706, which is well worth visiting. The upscale residential area still conserves many of its colonial constructions and offers shady streets lined with jacarandas to walk thorough and explore.
Start the day early and take the Mitre train from Retiro or Carranza station (close to the hotel). Check that you get on the train going to Mitre, which is where you have to get off. Cross the Maipú Avenue and go into the Tren de la Costa. Take the train to the Barrancas station where a weekend antique fair. A close walk away is the Pueyrredon Historical Museum set in an old homestead where General Pueyrredon and San Martin planned strategies against the Spanish. Whilst in this area of San Isidro you can stop for lunch at La Anita, an old food store with a courtyard which was turned into a restaurant preserving the 100 year old furniture.
Get back on the train and get off at the San Isidro station where you can walk up the beautiful Mitre Park to get to the neo-gothic San Isidro Cathedral. Around the block, set in the Tres Ombues lane is the well worth visiting Beccar Varela museum at Quinta los Ombues, which was built during the vice royal period, and displays the historic heritage of the area.
Only ten blocks away is the stunning Villa O Campo where you can explore the local literary legacy, walk through stunning gardens and end the afternoon by having scones at the Villas teahouse. On your the way there is El Altillo pizzeria a neighborhood classic and El Piove ice cream where the owners have their ice cream maker displayed and it is sometimes possible to get a scoop right from the churners.
View Larger Map
Museums
Pueyrredon Historical Museum
Rivera Indarte 48, Acassuso
4512-3131
info@quintalosombues.com.ar
Adrián Beccar Varela 774, San Isidro
4575-4038
Elortondo 1837, Beccar
4732-4988
Places to eat
La Anita
Vuelta de Obligado 415, Acassuso.
4743-7604.
Av. Libertador 17000, San Isidro
4743-0990
Piove Ice Cream
Av. Libertador 17002, San Isidro
47477856
Off the Beaten Path: Museo de Arte Hispanoamericano Isaac Fernandez Blanco
(photo by sebastian-dario)
A Neocolonial building with a beautiful Spanish style courtyard houses the Isaac Fernandez Blanco collection of Hispanic-American art. An impressive display of antique and religious objects, furniture, silver, and paintings dating back to the 1700´s are sure to take you back to a key historic moment where two very different cultures colided to define what South America is today.
Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday from 2pm-6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12am-6pm. English tours must be booked in advance.
Museo de Arte Hispanoamericano Isaac Fernandez Blanco
Suipacha 1422, Downtown
4327- 0228
English Tours
4327-0272.
mifb_educativa@buenosaires.gob.ar
