Argentina – Protected Architecture in Rosario
A Two Hour Walking Tour Around Historic Buildings and Artworks
Aug 12, 2008
Starting point of this two hours' walking tour along protected architecture in Rosario is "El Cairo" [corner of Santa Fe and Sarmiento], an Art Deco café with excellent coffee and where walking tour Walk of the Century ends. The walking tour leads along several Works and Places of Patrimonial Value in Rosario.
Artwork at Palacio Fuentes – an Architectural Masterpiece
Juan Fuentes was a Spanish immigrant who arrived in Argentina in 1868. His is the success story of a man who started out as a laborer but worked his way up to become one of the rich of Rosario. In the 1920s he commissioned the construction of the 65 meters high Fuentes Palace, an architectural masterpiece, which stands across Art Deco café El Cairo. Look up and admire the artwork of the elaborate bronze lanterns in the "loggia" – the gallery along the roof. Absolute masterworks of art are the huge bronze doors, featuring a bizarre mix of reliefs.
Walking Tour Downtown Rosario via Hidden Passage "Calle Pan"
Walk one and half blocks down Santa Fe, crossing Sarmiento and San Martín, and look on the right side for the sign "Pasaje de Córdoba". In Rosario, which is completely laid out in a grid pattern, it is a treasure to find a narrow, almost hidden passage that cuts a block in two. Its old name is "Calle Pan" ["Street of Bread"]. Unfortunately, the construction of the cheap eatery on the corner demolished part of the mosaic floor and the façade of stained leaded windows which characterize the rest of the passage.
The passage leads to Córdoba Street. Take a left to walk one block to admire the artwork on the front of the Jockey Club Rosario [corner Maipú and Córdoba], another masterwork that is now considered protected architecture. The construction was completed in 1915 and designed by Eduardo Le Monnier, a French architect who was involved in several projects in Rosario, like La Bola de Nieve. The Jockey Club became a favorite meeting place for the upper-class male circles and still only admits members.
Walking Tour Along Protected Architecture in Rosario – "La Favorita"
Turn around and follow Córdoba up to the corner with Sarmiento, where the huge, luxurious store "Falabella" can't be missed. Another success story, this time from Ramón and Angel García, two Asturian immigrants who started a lace shop in 1987. They grew rapidly, importing European fashion from Paris and soon outgrew the building. In the 1920s the shop was replaced by a European-style department store and carried the name of "Edificio La Favorita". Walk inside and admire the large central part of the store, from where elliptical staircases go up to the upper levels. Look high up to see the ceiling with artwork of an extraordinary octagonal, glass dome.
Walk another three blocks up Córdoba and take a left onto Corrientes. Follow this road until up to the corner of San Luis to admire a neocolonial building. Residencia Fracassi y Casa de Renta was owned by Dr. Teodoro Fracassi, a well-known figure in Rosarian society. This building dates from 1925 and was designed by Angel Guido, a well-established History and City Planning professor at the College of Architecture. It was partly used for commercial activities and had three rented houses on the first floor.
Rosario's Protected Architecture and Artwork
Rosario is one of Argentina's rich cities in terms or architecture and artworks. Many of Rosario's architecture is protected and can be easily visited during a two hour walking tour. Interested to learn more? The walking tour El Paseo del Siglo starts just a few blocks from here.
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