Plaza Lavalle, Buenos Aires

After having seen enough of the Obelisk and busy 9 de Julio Av., we turned off onto the pedestrian walkway of Av. Roque Senez Pena. This very quickly took us to the quiet and peaceful looking Plaza Lavalle which spans the three city blocks along which the famous Teatro (Theatre) Colon is located.

The seven-story Teatro, which can hold up to 3500 spectators, is considered one of the world's premier Opera Houses. However, because the building was draped in construction netting for repairs, we did not explore it, instead just enjoying some relaxing time in this Plaza before we continued our walk toward the seat of government area near Plaza de Mayo. We could have taken the pedestrian Lavalle Street directly from here, but we did not quite have our bearings sorted out and instead walked along the parallel car/pedestrian street of Viamonte.

4 more images

Considering it has been a market square, home to the city's first fun fair, the place the first train journey in the country started from and the site of a revolutionary skirmish, pretty Plaza Lavalle is rather tame these days. The only standoff you're likely to see here these days is between a couple of the dogs in their railed off recreation area. Home to a wonderful collection of trees, many more than a hundred years old, it's particularly lovely in Spring when jacaranda, mimosa and Argentina's national tree, the flaming ceibo, are in flower. It takes up three blocks between Libertad and Talcahuano running parallel to Ave 9 de Julio one block north of the Obelisco

In the middle block lying between the Plaza and Ave 9 de Julio is Teatro Colon, BA's magnificent opera house. The theatre was closed for restoration when we were there but that's completed now and May 2008 saw it re-opened and to celebrating its centenary.

Also getting a facelift was the Palacio de Justicia, not that cleaning it up will do much for its mish-mash of architectural styles. It's the cumbersome looking building on the south- west corner of the plaza. It's the presence of the law courts that gives the area the name Tribunales.

I don't know what the building on the corner across from the courts is, but the combination of it and its reflection in the glass curtain wall of the building behind it makes a striking photo.

This square is wonderful and the houses all around really nice ! It is very close to Corrientes, so it is worth to walk till there! My favourite is the old house with the modern glass building behind!

1 more image

A small and nice plaza located in front of the Colon Theatre. Also in the plaza is located the Teatro Cervantes and the monument to the General Lavalle.