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LA PLATA
This is the capital of Buenos Aires Province, the main Argentine
Province and also known as the city of diagonals; It is located in the
so-called Humid Pampas 56 kms Southeast of Buenos Aires City at 34 55’
South latitude and 57 17’ West longitude. It covers a surface area of
949,38 square kilometers and is 9,87 meters above sea level and has
around 600,000 inhabitants. Besides being the capital of Argentina’s
most important Province and seat of its government, it has three very
prestigious universities and a rich cultural history, a place where
ideas are debated and scientific research takes place.
Brief Historical Outline:
It was decided in 1880 to create a capital for the Province of Buenos
Aires after the City was declared capital of the country. Then Governor,
Dardo Rocha was in charge of carrying this out. Various studies were
undertaken so as to decide where it should be built.
Places like the Belgrano neighbourhood, the cities of Chascomus, Dolores
to the south and San Nicolas to the North were originally considered as
possible sites. In April of that year the Ensenada Municipality was
chosen as the ideal place and the Provincial Government gave it the name
of La Plata apparently influenced by Poet Jose Hernandez, author of the
renowned Gaucho classic “Martin Fierro”.
A team of urban planners led by engineer Pedro Benoit was in charge of
designing the city and an international bid was opened for the design of
the most important buildings. The city is well-known for its diagonals,
its big park (“El Bosque”) and numerous squares placed every six blocks.
The fundamental stone was placed 19 November 1882 during the first
presidency of Julio A. Roca at the exact geographical centre, today’s
Plaza Moreno, surrounded by the beautiful municipal palace and the
imposing gothic cathedral made of red bricks, landmarks of the city.
Tourism in La Plata
The Cathedral:
 The
Inmaculada Concepcion Cathedral is the most important Neo-Gothic temple
in South America. Building began in 1884 and it was opened in 1932
although work on the towers was only completed in 1999. One of the
towers has a lift and from the top one can appreciate the whole of the
city.
Address: 14 Street between 51 & 53. Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 09.00Hs.to19.00Hs.; Sundays and Holidays from 09.00Hs. to 20.00Hs.
Cultural Centre Pasaje Dardo Rocha:
 Located
at the core of the city. It used to be the grounds of the first railway
station of the Ferrrocarril Oeste de La Plata. Today, this is the place
where the most relevant artistic events in the city take place. Address:
The block between 49 & 50 Streets (6&7). Opening Hours: from Mondays to
Sundays from 09.00 Hs. to 22.00 Hs.
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