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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