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San Antonio de Areco - Gaucho tradition and customs

Cariba

Administrator
Staff member

San Antonio de Areco: how to get there, museums, campsites​


Visiting San Antonio de Areco is a journey into the gaucho tradition and customs of the Pampas region.

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San Antonio de Areco is a well-preserved city, with old buildings and a country atmosphere where the National Tradition Festival is celebrated every year .

The town of San Antonio de Areco has different tourist attractions such as museums, old nightclubs and grocery stores, recreation next to the river, the cathedral church and many more.

How to get to San Antonio de Areco​

The city of San Antonio de Areco is located 113 km away. of the city of Buenos Aires.

To get there by car you must take route 8 from the Pilar branch of the Panamericana.

By bus there are different companies that make the trip to San Antonio de Areco from the Retiro bus station: Nueva Chevallier, Empresa Pullman Gral. Belgrano, Empresa Argentina, Empresa Master Bus, Empresa Ruta Bus.
There is also a bus service between the Federal Capital and Areco, company Areco Bus. Site: www.arecobus.com.ar

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Visit to the city of San Antonio de Areco​

The city of San Antonio de Areco is easy to explore on foot. It has its civic center in the Plaza Ruíz de Arellano , in its surroundings there is the Municipality building , the San Antonio de Padua Cathedral , the Banco Provincia and other buildings of architectural value. Very close is the active shopping center with restaurants , candy stores, supermarkets, bakeries and different shops.


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Places to visit​

Old Bridge​

The old bridge that crosses the San Antonio de Areco river is known as “ Old Bridge ”. It was built in 1857 and was quite busy for its time. It was one of the first places where carts and carriages were charged tolls for using it. It was declared a National Historical Monument. Currently, for its conservation, the bridge is only for pedestrian use. Following the path a few meters away you reach the Parque Criollo Ricardo Güiraldes and the Gauchesco Museum .


Areco River Park​

A few blocks from the main square you reach the park next to the Areco River and the Old Bridge . The park is several blocks long and has a large grove of trees with tables and places to have a picnic. On weekends it is busier with visitors and locals looking to cool off in the river or drink mate. There is also a small craft fair.

Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes​

"La Blanqueada" grocery store and Parque Criollo​

Address : Camino Ricardo Güiraldes s/n (400 meters from the Old Bridge)

Hours : Wednesday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday closed.

Free pass .

Telephone : (54 2326) 45-5839. E-mail : museoguiraldes@areconet.com.ar

The museum was created in 1936 to disseminate gaucho culture and traditions and the literary work of Ricardo Güiraldes, author of “Don Segundo Sombra”. In the museum there are rooms dedicated to silverware, rural tools, objects from gaucho life and elements that belonged to the writer. The building where the museum operates has great architectural value and shows what the old cattle ranches were like.

Next to the museum is the Pulpería La Blanqueda. In this building that was built more than 150 years ago, a typical grocery store from the rural area of Buenos Aires is represented. Inside La Blanqueda you can see the meeting place of the gauchos and how they were part of their customs.

La Vieja Power Plant Museum and Cultural Center​

Address : 66 Alsina St., San Antonio de Areco. Telephone : (02326) 45 4722

Hours : Open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free entry.

In the building where the town's old power plant operates, the City Museum currently operates where the history of San Antonio de Areco is disseminated. Many of the objects on display were donated by neighbors. In addition, the Cultural Center operates on site, which carries out different activities.

Juan B. Tapia Municipal Museum of Fine Arts​

- Sala Usina Vieja (322 Matheu St) Open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free entry.

- Livia Bertola Room (373 Lavalle St) Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free entry.

Other museums:​

  • Antonio Pazzaglia Museum of the Cooperativa Eléctrica. Moreno 417. Tel: (02326) 45 2457
  • Atelier Museum of the Painter Osvaldo Gasparini. Alvear 521. Telephone (02326) 45 3930
  • Taller Draghi Museum. Lavalle 387. Telephone (02326) 45 4219

Grocery stores, nightclubs and department stores​

Almacén Los Principles
Address: Moreno y Miter

Bessonart Bowling
Address: Segundo Sombra y Zapiola

La Pulpería de Areco
Address: 600 Bolívar St., between Lavalle and Matheu

Pulpería Lo de Tito
Address: 411 Matheu St., between Arellano and Zapiola

La Esquina de Merti
Address: 174 Arellano St and Miter

Bar San Martín
Address: Moreno y Alvear

El Miter
Address: Miter and Alsina

La Vuelta del Gato
Address: Camino R. Güiraldes and Camino al Parque

Lo Pascual
Address: Tucumán and Sarmiento, Villa Lía

Camping in San Antonio de Areco​

Club River Plate​

Address : Camino de la Rivera
Telephone: +54 2326 453590 / +54 2326 454998
Website: www.facebook.com/ClubAtleticoRiverPlateAreco/

La Segunda Recreational Field​

Address : town of Villa Lía (23 km from San Antonio de Areco)
Telephone: +54 11 4751 4648 / +54 2326 498353
Website: www.crlasegunda.com.ar

Alfajores The Copper Pot​

La Olla de Cobre is an alfajores factory in San Antonio de Areco. The alfajores are considered one of the best in the country. The La Olla de Cobre alfajores brand has fans throughout Argentina and many tourists take advantage of their visit to the city to buy their products and bring gifts.

Address : 433 Matheu , SA de Areco.

Telephone : 02326 45-3105

Website : www.laolladecobre.com.ar

Tradition Festival 2024​

The Tradition Festival is held every year during the month of November in the town. During the celebration, musical shows, dances, a gaucho parade, displays of Creole skill and more activities are organized. The Tradition Festival is the most important popular event in San Antonio de Areco.

Enjoy gaucho customs and traditions. Free.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday in November 2024

Information : Tel (02326) 45 3165 (Tourism Department)

Programming of the Tradition Festival​

Friday in November
8:00 p.m. Surero Fireplace in the Patio de la Blanqueada.

Saturday November
2:00 p.m. Skills in the Criollo Park.
3:00 p.m. Dances and Folk Music / Creole Dances. In the Guida O'Donnell Courtyard.
9:00 p.m. Central Peña of the 80th National Festival of Tradition.

Sunday in November
9:00 a.m. Flag Raising in Parque Criollo.
9:30 a.m. Inauguration of the Historical Monuments commemorative plaque.
10:00 a.m. Parade of Countrymen.
2:00 p.m. Activities in the Skills Field.

Queries :

San Antonio de Areco Tourism Office
Telephone: 02326 - 45 - 3165
Email: turismo@areco.gob.ar
 
It is a beautiful area. I went years ago and did a Gaucho Asado out there. It was fun.
 
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