Location:
Perú, Alsina, Bolivar & Moreno- San Telmo
The “Block of Lights” takes her name from being the cradle of
intellectuality and sits in the Monserrat neighbourhood bordering
Alsina, Peru, Bolivar and Moreno Streets. Its history dates back to
1661 when the Jesuits took possession and constructed buildings
considered to be the oldest of this historical ground plot. Once The
Company of Jesus is settled, building begins of the San Ignatius of
Loyola Church. It is an example of Jesuit Baroque architecture and
was finished in 1722 being the oldest in the City of Buenos Aires.
The architects, all from different European countries of origin,
were the Jesuits Krauss, Wolf, Bianchi, Pffmoli and Webber. The
labour employed was at least partially provided by Guarani natives.
The interior presenting arches of salient angels continuous and continues
curves is repeated in the other Jesuit buildings of the block.
Splendid golden altar ornaments leaf-like images “for dressing” from
the 18th Century, old paintings and aged forged iron railings
transport us back to the epoch when churches were part of the social
life of Colonial Buenos Aires.
On the right hand side there still stands part of the old St.
Ignatius Maximum School. This was an educational centre of great
importance for the City but ceased activities when The Company of
Jesus was expelled in 1767.
During the Viceroyship it was called The San Carlos Real Collage
sheltering illustrious students like M. Belgrano, C. Saavedra, J.J.
Paso, Las Heras, M. Borrego,and B. Rivadavia amongst others.
At the corner of Peru and Alsina Streets is the entrance to the
Proctorship of the Missions. This building, with enormous brick
arches dating back to 1730 was the seat of the General Attorney of
the Jesuits. He was some kind of administration controller
supervising the movement of goods and managing the produce arriving
here from the various Jesuit estates in the interior of the country.
A
great part of the Maintenance of Missions and Colleges of the
religious order came from the sale of merchandise which took place
within this building.
Under the patio, some segments of colonial tunnels can be visited
today, which were recovered in the 80s and date back to the 18th
Century. They are believed to have been designed by the Jesuits.
There are doubts about their actual use; they are supposed to have
been built for the defense of the city though they might also have
been used for smuggling. The tunnels linked the Cabildo (old City
Hall), the port, the river and important buildings in the city. On
272 Peru St. there is access to one of the viceroys hip houses built
in 1783 on grounds that were formerly gardens in Jesuit times. Two
of them still remain with entrance at 272 and 294 Peru St.
The Maza Room was originally a kitchen. At the start of the 19th
Century it became the official bureau of the Legislature Presidency.
Manuel Vicente Maza was assassinated here whilst writing his
resignation.