Last updated on December 20, 2023.

El Centro (Central Buenos Aires) is made up of Barrio San Nicolás, a rectangular area bordered by Avenida Córdoba to the north and Avenida de Mayo to the south. It’s rarely called Barrio San Nicolás and has taken on the name El Centro.

This entry focuses on El Centro west of Avenida 9 de Julio, while another entry covers Microcentro, a smaller section of El Centro to the east of Avenida 9 de Julio.

 

Plaza Lavalle

I walked to Plaza Lavalle on a short but pleasant pedestrianized section of Diagonal Norte from Avenida 9 de Julio. Plaza Lavalle sits a block west of the massive avenue.

Diagonal Norte in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Diagonal Norte
Plaza Lavalle in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Plaza Lavalle
Plaza Lavalle in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Plaza Lavalle

In the center of the plaza is a small park and a monument to General Juan Lavalle. There was some interesting public art as well as a gigantic tree.

General Lavalle monument in Buenos Aires, Argentina
General Lavalle monument
Plaza Lavalle in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Plaza Lavalle
Plaza Lavalle in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Plaza Lavalle

Other than the back end of Teatro Colón, there are some beautiful buildings surrounding the plaza. On the southwest corner is the Palace of Justice (Palacio de Justicia), the Supreme Court building of Argentina completed in 1905. On the southeast corner is the President Roca School (Escuela Presidente Roca), which was built in 1903.

Palacio de Justicia in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Palace of Justice
Escuela Presidente Roca in Buenos Aires, Argentina
President Roca School

On the northeast corner is the Synagogue of the Israelite Argentine Congregation (Templo de la Congregación Israelita, a synagogue and an Argentine Jewish history museum built in 1897. It’s also known as the Freedom Temple (Templo Libertad).

Templo de la Congregación Israelita in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Synagogue of the Israelite Argentine Congregation
Templo de la Congregación Israelita in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Synagogue of the Israelite Argentine Congregation

Across the street is the Cervantes National Theatre (Teatro Nacional Cervantes), which opened in 1921.

Teatro Nacional Cervantes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cervantes National Theatre

 

Avenida Corrientes

Avenida Corrientes, just a block south of Plaza Lavalle, is fun to walk down. This is considered the Broadway of Buenos Aires. There are lots of theaters, restaurants, and flashing lights located on the street as well as some public art. I found it more enjoyable at night. I walked down it late on a Saturday night and it was packed with people.

Avenida Corrientes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Avenida Corrientes
Avenida Corrientes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Avenida Corrientes

One of the most important theatres on Avenida Corrientes is the General San Martín Theatre (Teatro General San Martín). It was built in the 1950s and seats 1,100 people. A cultural center is attached to the theatre.

Teatro General San Martín in Buenos Aires, Argentina
General San Martín Theatre

 

Other Landmarks

On the very western fringes of El Centro are a few other landmarks I noticed. The first is the Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Normal School (Escuela Normal Domingo Faustino Sarmiento), which is a block north of Avenida Corrientes on Avenida Callao. It was built in 1886. The large Church of the Savior (Iglesia del Salvador), sits a couple blocks north.

Escuela Normal Domingo Faustino Sarmiento in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Normal School
Iglesia del Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Church of the Savior

The other important building is the Water Company Palace (Palacio de Aguas Corrientes). It was built in 1887 as the former headquarters of the public water works, Aguas Argentinas. It definitely doesn’t fit in the neighborhood and is easily the most beautiful water pumping station I have ever seen. There’s also a museum inside explaining the history of water treatment.

Palacio de las Aguas Corrientes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Water Company Palace
Palacio de las Aguas Corrientes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Detail on the Water Company Palace
Palacio de las Aguas Corrientes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Entrance to the Water Company Palace
Palacio de Aguas Corrientes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Detail on the Water Company Palace

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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