San Telmo: Being a Tourist in My Own City

Abstract

I love San Telmo because its streets, bars, houses, and the entire neighborhood are so different from all other places in Buenos Aires; so much so, that when I walk by I feel like a tourist. San Telmo is one of the oldest quarters in the city. In its beginnings, it was inhabited by the wealthiest families of Buenos Aires until the 1871 yellow fever epidemic forced them to move North. With the passing of time, San Telmo's appearance changed and became a sightseeing must, where historic, valuable architecture can be experienced and appreciated. Among the interesting spots you'll find are the Orthodox Russian Church (1904), La Defensa Alley (typical 18th century large house that recreates the Colonial Buenos Aires), and Colonel Manuel Dorrego Square (every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., there is an antiques fair here) where you can spend some time at a coffee shop as well as tango or jazz dance clubs. The virtue of the San Telmo neighborhood lies in those interesting places one gets to know while walking, following cobbled pavement and narrow streets surrounding colonial buildings that house businesses such as antique dealers and ateliers. If you want to experience something different, it is worth the journey. Particularly, I love to sit on one of the corner bar tables or walk around and watch the people passing by, pretending I am a stranger in my own city.