Spring in Argentina: Recoleta

Recoleta, is in the Barrio Norte, the most affluent part of Buenos Aires, it is also the cultural centre and popular with tourists, runners and cyclists. I headed down Av. Austria through the various Plazas to Plaza Naciones Unidas to see the Floralis Genérica.

Los Arboles de Buenos Aires are now at their best; the Jacaranda has been in bloom with an abundance of purple flower since late October. The Tipa (Rosewood) is covered in yellow flowers from late November. Sr. Carlos Thays planted these native trees throughout the city, lining many of the avenues.

Jacaranda mimosifolia Bignoniaceae

Tipa (Tipuana tipu) Fabaceae

Flor de sada (Calliandra paevifolia) Fabaceae

Floralis Genérica is a sculpture made of steel and aluminum located in Plaza de las Naciones Unidas, created by architect Eduardo Catalano in 2002. The sculpture was designed to move, closing its petals in the evening and opening them in the morning, however this mechanism is currently disabled.

Next, I headed for the main tourist attraction, the Recoleta Cemetery. The mortal remains of many figures in Argentine history are found here, including the tomb of Eva Perón. I recognised some of the names from the streets that have beee named after them.

One of the best museums for fine arts is nearby, The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. It holds a large collection of European Art from the 12th to 19th century but also a small collection of 19th century Argentine Art.