Argentina Discovery

La Boca is a neighborhood, or barrio of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. It retains a strong European flavour, with many of its early settlers being from the Italian city of Genoa. In fact the name has a strong assonance with the genoese neighborhood of Boccadasse (or Bocadaze in genoese dialect), and some people believe that the Buenos Aires' barrio was indeed named after it. After a lengthy general strike, La Boca seceded from Argentina in 1882, and the rebels raised the Genoese flag, which was immediately torn down personally by then President Julio Argentino Roca.

It is known throughout the sporting world as the home of Boca Juniors, one of South America's top football clubs. La Boca is a popular destination for touristsCaminito. Other attractions include the La Ribera theatre, many tango clubs and Italian taverns, as well as La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors. visiting Argentina, with its colourful houses and main street, the

It has also been a centre for radical politics, having elected the first socialist member of Argentine Congress (Alfredo Palacios in 1935) and been home to many demonstrations during the crisis of 2001.

As one of Buenos Aires's 47 barrios, La Boca is located in the city's south-east near its port. The barrio of Barracas is to the west; San Telmo and Puerto Madero are to the north.

It is one of the mosto picturesque places due to its colorful port setting. The corrugated roof style of the houses and the customs reflect the European influence, mainly southern Italian, who arrive between 1860 and 1910.

Te so-called "a Piccola Italia (Little Italy) is stamped with medirerranean style, from its typical restaurants "cantinas" to its architecture. Brightly painted multicolored houses, inhabited by families, called "conventillos" give La Boca its main characteristic. La Boca has always been a working class neghborhood and in the past, people used the paint left over from ships to paint their houses. You will notice that sidewalks are elevated to prevents flooding from the Rio de la Plta. It is best to go there on sundays when there are activities for tourist. We suggest visiting La Boca during daylight hours. 

Caminito Street Museum. Street artist and performers paint, dance tango and take pictures outdoors. There is also a handicrafts market where you can buy all kinds of things.

Quinquela Martín Fine Arts Museum: 1835 Pedro de MEndoza Avenue. The Museum, recently renewed, was built in the upper part of a colorful public school. More than 700 works of ar by the painter Quinquela Martín are exhibited there. The artist could picture the typical beauty of La Boca. 

Other pictures and sculptures by other national and foreing artists can also be found there. 

Boca Juniors Club Stadium. Del Valle Iberlucea street, Brandsen Street, Roca railway and Aristóbulo del Valle Street. The stadium is famous not only for the football matches (soccer) buy also for its architecture. It was built by the Slovenian architect Victor Sulcic who lived in Argentina from 1924. He solved the problem of having little space to built the stadium placing the tribunes one above the other supported by consoles. 

The stadium is called "La Bombonera" (Bombonera means Chocolate Box), due to its shape. It was inaugurated in 1940. It has space for 50 thousand people and on its walls are exhibited works of art by Perez Celis and Maccio. 

San Juan Evangelista Church: Olavarría Street and Martín Rodriguez Street. It was inaugurated in 1886. Its principal facade has a porch which consists of lonian columns. The rest of the building, romantic style, was designed hby architect Pablo Besana where you can enjoy the paintings on the cupulas and the lateral altars.

Nuestra Señora Madre de los Inmigrantes Sunctuary: Brasil Street and Wenceslao Villafae Street, Rio de la Plata, Roca railway lines, Suarez Street, Hernandarias Street, Pilcomayo Street, Patricios Avenue and Defensa Street