Plaza Dorrego Attractions & Landmark
One of the Oldest Plazas on the Oldest Street
Buenos Aires,
1065
Argentina
Transport Options:
Train Available: Bus: 86, 29, 64
Overview
This historic plaza was the sight of the swearing of National Independence in 1816 before Don Juan Martín de Pueyrredón. During the colony, it was a resting post for wagons travelling from the port to what is now Plaza de Mayo along the first roadway, known today as Calle Defensa. Today it is the site of the San Pedro Telmo Antique Fair, where street performances by tango dancers, musicians, mimes and colorful characters mingle with the painters, antique dealers and street vendors in a bohemian rhapsody of song, dance and nostalgia. Ramble the colonial cobblestone streets of the Barrio de San Telmo to Avenida Independencia and Balcarce, to see El Viejo Almacén from the early colonial days, now a traditional tango bar/restaurant.
As I sit here in Phoenix watching the rain pour down and sniff the intoxicating scent of the washed desert, it reminds me of a trip to BsAs last April - it poured then as well, every day, which was unusual. When it stopped the city smelled clean and it too was intoxicating. A Sunday afternoon spent in San Telmo, the oldest district of BsAs is NOT to be missed. It is the one day of the week for the antiques fair. The streets are only open to pedestrians and the vendors are in the streets and parks, one after the other, selling rich old artifacts of the Argentine heritage such as gaucho leather goods, silver, old movie star magazines, something of interest for everyone. On every block there are mimes, musicians with pianos, accorddeons and violins playing seductive Tango music and couples dancing cheek to cheek. Treat yourself to homemade empanadas hot from the oven melting in your mouth with a nice cold Quilmes beer. I have been to BsAs 3 times now and every visit has been exciting and fulfilling in its own way. The best time to go is November (spring breaking toward summer). Also take the ferrry over to uruguay for the day, spend it seeing the historic old town of Colonia then come back to BsAs. I stay in Palermo SoHo, a very nice, safe family neighborhood. Have fun! Saludo!
With your thing is antiques you will think you died and went to heven. Don't go on sunday unless you want to do the street fair, fun in itself. For serious hunting go during the week. We found some great deals cash speaks the universal language about 15 to 20 percent discount. Look for the market with the food stalls mix in with them are the best priced shops. Happy hunting.
If you just want to sit around and drink some beer and smoke with your friends, this is the place. In the evenings you can hang out here until 3 in the morning... and when it's hot, you don't want to be inside. Service is average for Argentina (meaning bad) but you get served. Please don't feed the pigeons, it's a nuisance.
We went in late Sep when ferrias were going on in Recoleta and Plaza Dorrego. The Plaza Dorrego has more antiques and somewhat better prices but both are worth going to. You can also make your way down toward La Boca, it
IF YOU LIKE FAIRS AND LIKE TO ANTIQUE, THIS IS THE AREA-LOTS OF FUN-MANY OF THE STORES AROUND THE PLAZA HAVE EXCELLENT ANTIQUES FROM WW 2 TRIKETS TO FURNITURE FROM EUROPE. ONE STORE ON THE NE CORNER IS CALLED POTABELLO
I WENT THERE WITH MY FOLKS THIS SUMMER I TOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE BE BORING, BUT IT REALLY ROCKED!
