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Mendoza City
is placed among the most important cities in Argentina. It is characteristic
for its wide green outdoor spaces and groves that ornament the city’s
sidewalks.
Another signature of the city is its “acequias”, a canals
network that distributes water all along the city. Water is an invaluable
asset for this land, and it failed to defeat this desert environment
thanks to the effort of those who founded this Province.
This city offers a wide commercial infrastructure, top-quality hotel
service, car rental, foreign exchange bureaus, tourist agencies and
a wide network of public transport.
It has an outstanding gastronomy that goes from international dishes
to native restaurants as well as the most varied wine menu in the
country.
For those who wish to explore other Mendocinean attractions, there
are highly developed artistic and cultural activities. There are theatres,
museums, art galleries and handcraft displays that offer different
choices for tourists. At night, bar clubs, pubs, discos and casinos
invite you to relax and enjoy nightlife. |
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City Centre |
Squares
in Mendoza
The squares in Mendoza combine fine vegetation and the history of
the Province, going from modern styles, to European and last century
architecture. The most significant is Plaza Independencia. It is1600
m2 big, has a water fountain in its centre, a Theatre – Quintanilla
– and a Museum – Museo de Arte Moderno (Modern Arte Museum).
Other well-known squares are Plaza España, Plaza Italia, Plaza
Chile, Plaza San Martín, among others. Area
Fundacional
Area Fundacional is the centre of the colonial city founded in 1561
by Pedro del Castillo, and was at that time the social civic and
religious centre in Cuyo. It fully collapsed after an earthquake
in 1861.
Plaza Pedro del Castillo was the most important square in the times
of our foundation. Since 1933, there has been a Museum in it, with
significant archeological excavations in underground chambers; there
are photographs and ancient documents, and a display of the ruins
of the Cabildo and the old slaughterhouse, as well as the Town Hall
Fair.
San
Francisco Ruins
This was the shrine of the Jesuits, until they were expelled by
the Spanish in 1767. It was the first church built in Area Fundacional.
Basílica
de San Francisco (San Francisco Basilica)
It is located in Mendoza City opposite Plaza San Martín.
It belongs to the Franciscan Order and inside of it are the mortal
remains of the Liberator´s daughter, Merceditas, his son-in-law
and one of his grand-daughters. It has been declared a Natural Historic
Monument.
Independencia
Theatre
It is the most relevant theatre in the Province. It has been located
opposite Plaza Independencia since 1925. Local, national and international
plays are staged here.
Town
Aquarium
It has existed since 1945, and has species from the Atlantic and
the Pacific Ocean, freshwater and salt water specimens.
Paseo
Alameda (Poplar Grove Walk)
This walk, where there are now flower stalls and children’s
games, was once the centre of social activity during San Martín’s
governing (1814-1816). Its leafy grove of tipas trees and white
poplars are its signature.
Pasaje
San Martín (San Martin Alleyway)
This was the first tall building in the city. It stands at the corner
of the Promenade (Peatonal) and San Martín Ave. Characteristic
for its French stained-glass windows and glass domes. At present,
its ground floor is a commercial gallery.
Central
Park
A marvellous 14 ha-big green space in the city centre, with trees,
walks, pergolas, pedestrian bridges, children’s games, and
an articifial lake, with birds and a sundial.
Sarmiento
Promenade
A picturesque commercial walk, with pergolas and flowerbeds, cafés,
outdoor restaurants with tables and umbrellas provide and ideal
environment to enjoy a good moment. |
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The Park |
Gral.
San Martín Park
Gral. San Martín Park was created in 1896 under the name
of Parque Oeste (West Park), on Emilio Civit’s iniciative-
the minister at that time- who was later elected governor, hygienist
Emilio Coni and architect Carls Tahys.
Located to the west of Mendoza City, with an initial length of 400
ha. and designed like the English and French gardens, this wide
green space is the most outstanding of its kind in Argentina and
one of the main ones in Latinamerica. A Monumental gate brought
from Glasgow, Scotland, frames its entrance together with sculptures-
Marly horses- imported from France early last century. Native and
foreign plant species can be found in this park, many of which are
of difficult adjustment to Mendocinean soil.
There’s a traffic circle, an artificial lake where rowing
is practised, a number of relevant sports clubs, an aborigine park,
a horse-riding field and golf couse, a zoo with cages that allow
its animals’ freedom, and children’s theatre, a hill
where the monument of the Andes army is standing, a racetrack, a
football stadium, a cycle track, Frank Romero Day’s arena,
where the National Celebration of Vendimia takes place, among other
events.
Zoo
Garden
Located at Cerro de la Gloria foothill. It is a great attraction
due to its wide variety of animal species (over 1,000), both native
as well as exotic fauna. At present it is considered one of the
most significant in South America.
Fuente
de los Continentes (Water Fountain of the Continents)
A magnificent sculpture made of cast iron, an icon to Gral San Martín
Park.
Frank
Romero Day Greek arena
Here is where every year in March the National Celebration of Vendimia
(Vintage) takes place. Past Gral San Martín Park, it is located
among the hills, which provide the celebration with a very special
frame due to the number of people that gather on them to watch and
participate.
Cerro
de la Gloria (Gloria Hill)
This is a natural viewpoint in Mendoza City, where the Los Andes
Army monument stands. It was inaugurated in 1911, and was recently
restored and reinaugurated on 25th May 2007. It was made by Juan
Manuel Ferrari (Uruguay) and it portrays Gral San Martín
on his horse, surrounded by his soldiers. To the sides, three skirting
boards tell the most noteworthy facts of the army’s formation,
its armoury, the peoples help, the ladies, the poor, the withdrawal
of the Chilean army. At its top, a group of soldiers are ready to
fight, accompanied by the image of liberty, and at its bottom, a
condor is lifting from the ground, which symbolizes the inspiration
caused by these great deeds. To the sides of the monument are the
Argentinean, the Perubian and the Chilean badges.
Cerro
Arco (Arco Hill)
Located a few kilometres away from the city. This hill is ideal
for going parachuting, trekking, and cycling. It offers a magnificent
view of the city. |
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