CEMENTERIO DE LA RECOLETA

Founded in 1822, the "Père-Lachaise porteño " is a veritable open-air museum in its own right, covering more than 6 hectares. It's fun and instructive to wander among the tombs of famous Argentinian figures, including, of course, Evita Perón (Duarte family), but the cemetery's narrowness and lack of greenery make the atmosphere a little gloomy at times. Nevertheless, it's easy to spend hours observing the details of the statues or marble mausoleums, or playing at recognizing the mortuary of one or other of Argentina's illustrious elite. Among the 6,500 tombs, many bear witness to extraordinary life stories that today feed many urban legends. The magnificent entrance portico, known for its sober Greek architectural style, speaks volumes about the prestige accorded to the site. The most artistically spectacular part of the cemetery is undoubtedly the one at the far left. Works of art have been accumulating since November 17, 1822, when this former convent garden was inaugurated as a cemetery by the then governor Martín Rodríguez, whose remains rest here. The Recoleta cemetery, removed from the capital's historic districts like San Telmo, tells a little of the story of the city's evolution. In the 1870s, as Argentina's elite fled the yellow fever that struck working-class urban areas, the Recoleta district saw the arrival of the national bourgeoisie. In the years that followed, the Recoleta cemetery would logically welcome the remains of some of Argentina's most illustrious citizens.
To help you find your way around, the hostesses at reception always sell a map and can give you some information. Among the most distinguished personalities to be laid to rest here are former Argentine presidents Raúl Alfonsín (1927-2009), Nicolás Avellaneda (1837-1885), Miguel Juárez Celman (1844-1909), Arturo Umberto Illia (1900-1983), Bartolomé Mitre (1821-1906), Carlos Pellegrini (1846-1906), Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (1811-1888) and Hipólito Yrigoyen (1852-1933) ; pro-independence general Juan Lavalle (1797-1841); writers Luis César Amadori (1902-1977), Adolfo Bioy Casares (1914-1999), José Hernández (1834-1886), Enrique Larreta (1875-1961), Eduardo Mallea (1903-1982) and Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979).