Daily Archives: January 10, 2011

The Retiro Neighborhood is one of most exclusive neighborhoods of Buenos Aires but, originally, the area was a country retreat (retiro) for Spanish governor Augustí­n de Robles. San Martí­n Plaza, which I described previously, is in the Retiro Neighborhood. Near the Plaza stands Palacio San Martí­n, built for Mercedes Castellanos de Anchorena and completed in 1909. Palacio San Martí­n is currently used for ceremonial purposes by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. Basí­lica Santí­simo Sacramento, also nearby, was built by the Anchorena family in 1916. The last apartment occupied by Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges is here in Retiro, with a plaque commemorating him prominently displayed on the wall of the building. After exploring the Retiro Neighborhood, I stopped in a beautiful old church, the name of which I didn’t record. Nonetheless, the interior of this charming neighborhood church is a vivid memory for me. Continue reading →