The Baroque facade
Modelled on Alcalá.
Jorge Láscar from Australia — CC BY 2.0 · Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Secretaría de Cultura — CC BY 4.0 · Secretaría de Cultura — CC BY 4.0 · AKL121 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Cervantes is Argentina's only national theatre, founded by the celebrated Spanish actress María Guerrero and her husband Fernando Díaz de Mendoza, who brought professional theatre to Argentina with their productions of Spanish classics. It opened on 5 September 1921 with a play by Lope de Vega, later passed to the state, and has been a National Historic Monument since 1995. Its facade is one of the city's finest, in Spanish Baroque style, modelled on the front of the Colegio de San Ildefonso in Alcalá de Henares in Spain, birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, after whom the theatre is named. King Alfonso XIII of Spain helped its construction by sending craftwork, materials and stage elements from Spain, so inside are ceramic tiles, carved wood and grand stairs. Argentine theatre is staged here through the season, and building tours run at times announced by the theatre. The facade alone is worth a stop on a walk through the centre.
Modelled on Alcalá.
Spanish grandeur.
Argentine theatre.
Avenida Córdoba 1155, central Buenos Aires
Teatro ColónThe Teatro Colón is Buenos Aires's great opera house and one of the finest-sound3 minutes walk4.7
Obelisco de Buenos AiresThe Obelisco is the symbol of Buenos Aires, a white obelisk 67.5 metres high whe7 minutes walk4.5
Palacio PazPalacio Paz was the largest and most lavish private residence in Buenos Aires, b8 minutes walk
Palacio San Martín (Anchorena Palace)Palacio San Martín, also known as the Anchorena Palace, is the ceremonial seat o9 minutes walk
Galerías PacíficoGalerías Pacífico is a Beaux-Arts building on pedestrian Florida Street, designe10 minutes walk4.5Its facade is modelled on a building in Alcalá de Henares, Cervantes' home town, and a Spanish actress founded it.