La Plata Tourist Traps

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In the very heart of " Paseo del Bosque" ( Wood Area ), La Plata Natural Sciences Museum is located. It is a Neoclassic - Barroque building with ornaments typical of Pre- Columbian Cultures that place it as one of the most outstanding cultural monuments of the city.
Inside the building, you can enjoy an imaginary tour through time since there is a wide range of elements and samples of the evolutionary process of planet Earth.
As you stand opposite the building , you will observe a big flight of steps upheld by two big figures - smilodonths ( tigers from the Pampa which dissappeared 10,000 years ago) considered as letter of introduction of the building.

On the ground, there are some Roman numbers indicating the date in which it was built - 1887- and, just some steps forward there are six Corinthian columns supporting the monumental portal.

Unique Suggestions: Above you, there will be a sculpture related to science - a woman showing planet Earth and the sky, galaxies and stars. On both sides, there are busts of different outstanding persons in Natural Sciences field such as Darwin, Lamark, Humboldt and Cuvier.

You will leave the magic front of the building to enter the Museum with the previous picture kept in your mind. A circular hall welcomes you, with a double height roof . On the first floor, there is a decoration with ornaments that show you the level whereas on the second floor, there is a high vitreaux illustrating the main roof of the building.

The environment is fresh and humid being altered by people's whisperings as they respectfully walk around the place. Typical families as well as young people eager to learn choose this tour which is markedly visual and which takes you at least two hours to visit as you learn about millions of years existence.

Fun Alternatives: Once again in the central hall, you will go up the stairs which are opposite the entrance of the building. The stairs split to both sides and start showing you guards and images with native figures which are symbols of American people and cultures leading you to the first floor.

Straight, to your left and right, there are two corridors that link the two remaining rooms of this tour.

Always to your right, you will reach the " Ethnography Room " which is full of objects that belonged to different native cultures. A group of canoes and the cuirass of a Tehuelche Cacique located at the center of the room are really valuable from the historical point of view.

Only the " Biologic Anthropology Room " is left, very near you. There, you will find skeletons and skulls, as well as life styles and exotic rituals of native cultures. Together with them, there are Egyptian mummies and desiccated corpses which are worldwide valuable completing the picture.

You will return to the hall and go to your left to observe the interior of " Latin American Archaeology Room"- area that shows you the development of American Cultures from the year 12,000 B.C. to the arrival of Spanish people to America. The most valuable objects are made of Perú ceramics, weaves and other designs and outstand in the showcases.