Buenos Aires was first founded by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536, but was destroyed by the indigenous people five years later. Another 40 passed until the city was re-founded by the Biscayan Juan de Garay in the place where the Plaza de Mayo is today. Despite the centuries, the Plaza is still the heart of both Buenos Aires and Argentina. It is here that the banks and the seats of political power have been established, the seat of the Pink House government and, in front of it, the current City Hall and the Cabildo of the high colonies. It was there that, in 1945, thousands and thousands of humble workers, from the Bacchus, came together to support Perón. It was there that the Mothers began to turn, on April 30, 1977, looking for their disappeared children. On any Thursday, at three and a half in the afternoon, we will see them there, spinning around the Pyramid.

A city raised in circles

The Plaza de Mayo is the starting point to get to know Buenos Aires, since the city grew up in concentric circles around it. Being a city with long distances, the use of public transport is essential. We have subway (metro), trains, buses and taxis to choose from. Guia-T can be a good friend, which brings all the routes of its predecessors. It is also convenient to carry as many coins as possible; there are few in Argentina.

We have five subway lines. With the exception of the line C that connects the neighborhoods of Retiro del Norte and Constitución del Sur, all the others go from east to west, following the avenues of Corrientes and/or Rivadavia. The Rivadavia, named A, was the first in South America (1913). The early 20th century trains still run there.

If you’re heading south, you’ll find the old part of San Telmo and Montserrat. In addition to youth hostels, hotels, restaurants for tourists and traditional antique shops, we will find the oldest buildings in the city.

Traces of the Jesuits

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few meters from the Plaza de Mayo is the Casada de las Luces. This neighborhood was very important in the development of the city. In the 17th century it was donated to the Jesuits, and many of the buildings erected by them are still there. For example, the oldest building in Buenos Aires, the Church of San Ignacio, was built in 1686. In the region where there is no stone, it is worth highlighting the construction techniques used by the Guaraní people, who were the majority of the population, among them the adobe. Also surprising are the tunnels made by the Guarani themselves for the defense of the city, which connected several houses of the old Buenos Aires with the fortress.

Continuing in the same direction, we find the neighborhoods of Constitución, Barracas and La Boca. If we have time, we will walk along the Columbus Route or Avenida 9 de Julio, which is said to be the largest in the world. On the Columbus route there are buildings of great merit: Faculty of Customs, Post, Engineering. In the riverside area, you’ll find Puerto Madero, which used to host goods and immigrants, today a new and luxurious neighborhood.

On Avenida 9 de Julio, which is crossed by the avenues of Corrientes and Mayo, reminding us of the birth of the flag and the foundation of the city, is the Obelisk. For many, the phallic symbol of Argentine machismo. And nearby, the Basque houses of the city: Laurak Bat, Vasco-French, Basque Country, House of Navarre. The “return” to the house is not a bad opportunity to finish the first part of the visit.