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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

LUXURY VS. HISTORY - THE DICHOTOMY IN TWO TOURIST DISTRICTS, SAN TELMO AND PUERTO MADERO - PART #1

A clear example of this dichotomy can be seen in two of the quintessential tourist district of Buenos Aires: Puerto Madero and San Telmo. San Telmo, which is one of the oldest in the city and takes its name from the church of San Pedro Gonzalez, preserved, as if it were an old postcard, many of the features of the city from XVlll and XlX century.

Contrary to what one may think, the preservation was not due to a public policy, but the total neglect suffered by the neighborhood for many years and which caused havocs in the cultural and architectural heritage.

The progress didn't come to this district until the 1990's when the nostalgy started to become fashionable and a few historical buildings restored by the hand of time and man, began to be exploited as bars and restaurants and others were recycled in a postmodern image. The streets maintained their cobblestone streets, old lanterns were settled and began to detect urban archeology architectural gems of great heritage value. Around the Plaza Dorrego and its traditional antiques fair, every weekend brings thousands of visitors, he developed hotels, hostels, gift shops, tanguerias, clubs, museums and galleries. So this is how San Telmo looks like today: as a neighborhood that appeals to families during the day and bohemian youth at night. Is also one of the favorites districts for tourists, both for walking and to stay or live, along with Palermo and Downtown, the Hostel Colonial district, because his physiognomy characteristically from Buenos Aires and local color can be seen in every corner.


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