RDZ Photography

While we had a fail on Saturday with a tour of San Telmo, our day Sunday turned out much better with a tour along with Silvia from Buenos Aires Eclectic of the Barracas Barrio.

We started out at La Casa De Los Leones, the House of the Lions. Home to Eustoquio Diaz Velez, who was a rich land owner in the 1800s. Legend has it that Diaz Velez kept lions on the property, and one night one escaped and killed a boyfriend of one of his daughters.

Across the street is the historic house Ingles Montes.

Many of the buildings along the street have great detail.

Dating from the late 1800s the Santa Lucia Church graces the street amongst the 15 floor apartment buildings.

The area has gone through some gentrification, with these 30 floor apartment buildings standing along side 1800s buildings.

A Buenos Aires staple, the Aguila Chocolate factory was a major neighborhood employer. The company still exists, but the iconic factory is now a grocery store.

As with most Buenos Aires neighborhoods, there is some interesting graffiti.

Lanin Street is so cool I have dedicated an entire posting to it – following this posting.

Plaza Colombia has this great sculpture and flagpole.

While nearby is the spectacular Santa Felicitas Church. Built in German Gothic style it is one of, if not the only, example of this style in the world.

The courtyards are elegant.

The basement has what is known as the Tunnel Museum, with the history of the church and the neighborhood.

They had a collection of nun wardrobes!

Much of the museum was dedicated to the immigrant community.

A local cooking legend, Dona Petrona, was also featured.

The upper level had a nave, but is no longer used as a church – it now serves as a community center.

Many thanks to Silvia for an informative and entertaining tour.