For other places with the same name, see La Plata (disambiguation).

La Plata is the capital city of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It is placed on the "pampa húmeda" (wet pampas), 56 kilometres south-east of Buenos Aires city, at 34º 55' south latitude and 57º 17' west longitude.

Understand

Plaza Moreno and the Cathedral

It covers an area of 940.38 km2 and it's at 9.87 mts. above the sea level.

La Plata was designed around a central axis marked by 51st and 53rd Avenues, where the main buildings and landmarks are located: the Cathedral, City Hall, Plaza Moreno (Moreno square), the Teatro Argentino, the Provincial Legislature and Government house around Plaza San Martín (San Martín square). It was designed by Pedro Benoit and his prestigious team, who are among the most distinguished in the world. His basic design was a perfect square, cut in half diagonally and with squares and parks in the intersections of avenues, grand tree-lined boulevards and a forest near the center of the city.

Climate

La Plata
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       97     29 17       103     28 17       118     25 15       74     22 11       74     18 8       55     15 6       58     14 6       66     16 6       74     18 8       111     21 10       93     24 13       85     27 16 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Source: NOAA. See weather forecast at Servicio Meteorológico Nacional
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       3.8     84 63       4.1     82 62       4.6     78 58       2.9     71 52       2.9     65 47       2.1     58 42       2.3     58 42       2.6     60 43       2.9     64 46       4.4     69 51       3.7     75 55       3.3     81 60 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Its weather is mild, with an annual average temperature of 16.3C and an average rainfall of 1023 mm per year. The average humidity is of 77.6% and the predominant southeast winds blow during four months in the year. Summers are hot and humid while winters are cool and cloudy.

History

La Plata was born because of a political motive: The urgency of giving a new capital to the province of Buenos Aires, after the battle of Caseros. It was discussed at the time the possibility of moving the capital of the Buenos Aires Province to some existing populations, but the idea of creating a new city, lying on the field as a vast mathematical network, prevailed over any other opinion. So while other cities began as small populated and poor villages, which they were slowly becoming cities, La Plata, however, was from the beginning like a city, and not in poverty if not in opulence. La Plata was born, once and for ever, in full adulthood without a past. It had fame even before existing. It would be the great city of the future, the perfect capital; it was the magical city coming from the heart of the desert. In 1882, the final plans of the city were approved, and the works began. Three month after the first streets began to pave. Finally the solemn day of its foundation came, it was on 19th of November 1882. In the Moreno Square the cornerstone was laid, guests gathered under a large wooden shed, where the official banquet was served, while people gathered around 400 roasters where juicy steaks were cooked. The feast of meat was followed by racing of rings, acrobats and fireworks. The party was over; the next day the construction works of the new capital began. The town developed, in its early years, with breakneck pace, growing in the abundance. There was work and money, so says the popular song: "I go to La Plata, the new capital, where much is gained, with little work". In a few months the final forms of the city began.

Get in

Buses from Retiro and other places in Buenos Aires leave all the time - they cost A$39 (September 2016) and take 1 hour or so. Trains also leave from Buenos Aires all day from Constitución station. (As of September 2016, there's significant construction along the track, and the train is not running the whole way - you have to get out and switch to a bus, which is included in the price.)

Get around

La Plata is an easy city to navigate because of its grid system. You can easily walk from one side of the city to another within 45 minutes. Taxis are plentiful and cheap. They can be hailed on the street, but be observant; the diagonal avenues that cut through La Plata can be confusing and taxi drivers will often take advantage of that to rack up the price on the meter.

The city buses, or the micro, are very cheap and reliable. Within one city zone (the square-grid downtown counts as one zone) the bus costs 1,10 Argentine pesos ($.25 USD). It will cost 1,90 pesos to travel into the suburbs. You must specify the amount you are paying upon entering the bus. If you are confused as to how much you should pay, ask the bus driver. Buses only take coins, which are very hard to come by in Argentina. You can also buy a prepaid bus card at any news stand for 19 pesos. You must also hail the bus as it approaches the bus stop or it will not stop. For a map of bus routes, click here . Like in other cities in Argentina, you can buy a card ( called Sube) to pay for buses and trains at a lower rate than if you pay with cash.

See

La Plata's Natural History Museum

Museums

• Natural Science Museum (in the green parks north of the city centre). Highlight of the city - contains numerous (some huge) dinosaur skeletons, a detailed exploration of the numerous pre-Columbian cultures in south America, and other world class exhibits. The museum isn't quite up there with its cousins in New York City or London - but it is not far off. A$9. (updated Nov 2015)

• Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes, Ave 51 (near Plaza San Martin). The Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes has recently reopened after its recent refurbishment. Small exhibition space displaying temporary contemporary art exhibitions. Free. (updated Nov 2015)

Historic Buildings

• Casa Mariani Teruggi, 30th Street, 1134 (between 55th and 56th Street), ☏ 54 221 4212681NOCC. Saturdays from 11h to 17h. The city of La Plata was one of the hardest hit cities by the military Dictatorship between 1976 and 1983. Thousands of young people belonging to different political and guerrilla groups were persecuted, tortured, killed or they just “disappeared”. Among the most painful events is what happened in the house on 30th Street between 55th and 56th Street, where Diana Teruggi and Daniel Mariani lived with their daughter Clara Anahí. From outside, the house seemed to be a place where the owners bred rabbits and prepared and sold them as marinade food. But indeed there was one of the most important secret printing houses belonging to the “Montoneros” Organization. On November 24th 1976, the house was attacked by a Commando of the Provincial Police and Military Force: five guerrillas were killed. Clara Anahí was 3 months old at that moment and she has never been found since then. Her grandmother is still looking for her. The house is in its original state. It's part of Argentine memory and history, and certainly worth a visit. Free. (updated Nov 2015)
• Dr Emilio Azzarini Thematic Museum, 45th Street (between 6th Street and 7th Avenue, only one block away from “Plaza Italia” (Italy Square)). Mo-Th, 15h - 18h. It is a private collection of musical instruments donated by Dr Emilio Azzarini, a genetic veterinarian, to the University of La Plata in 1963. There you can find important musical instruments from all over the world, all of them with their corresponding acquisition date. From Europe: an Italian Beriubai resonator, a whistle receptacle, an automatic Tiritaina, spherical bells, a clavichord, a Traversa flute, a lyre, a Pu-ti-pu, a Txistu, an oboe and an ocarina. From Asia: a dung-chen, a co-ling, a sanshin, a sheng-shofar, and a summara. From Oceania: a didjeridu and a kooanan. From the Americas: a berimbau, a phonograph, four whistle receptacles and a resonator guitar. There is also a library of 3600 books and scores and a “Book of the Museum of Musical Instruments” that was edited by the University of La Plata and the Italian Institute of Philosophical studies. A very important collection. (updated Nov 2015)
• The Cathedral, between 14 street and 15 street, and between 51 and 53 avenues (opposite Moreno Square). La Plata's Cathedral “Immaculate Conception” is the main catholic temple of the city, opened for the first time on 19 November 1932, for the official ceremonies commemorating the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of La Plata. It has a beautiful architecture; its floors are made of granite stone. It has wonderful stained glass windows, but the most valuable works are the wooden engravings, the work of Mallknecht brothers and Leo Moroder. (updated Nov 2015)
• Curutchet House, Boulevard 53, 320. Curutchet House is a landmark to visit in La Plata. It is located in a green, sunny area with plenty of plants and trees facing the “Paseo del Bosque” park. It is one of the very few buildings in America designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier, and a world heritage site. He projected four levels with a ramp and a spiral staircase mainly because the piece of land where it was built was very narrow. Nowadays it houses the Buenos Aires Professional Association of Architects (Colegio de Arquitectos) and it is open to the public for tours and occasionally hosts events. (updated Nov 2015)

• Cemetery of La Plata, intersection of Avenue 31st, 72nd and Diagonal 74th (in the southern tip). Established in 1886 for the new capital, it was designed by Pedro Benoit, also responsible for the design of the city. It has some remarkable architectural features in its main entrance, as well as in many of the family vaults, which include neoclassical, neo-gothic, Art Nouveau (in its variant of Catalan Art Nouveau), Art Deco and Egyptian revival styles. The main entrance is a neo-classical portico with Doric columns. The Catholic chapel, in Romanesque revival style, was finished in 1950. Some famous people are buried at this cemetery, among them poet Pedro Bonifacio Palacios, naturalist Florentino Ameghino and writer Manuel Puig. (updated Nov 2015)

Public Buildings Walking Tour

Starting on 1st Avenue, between 51st and 53rd Avenues, you can go on a walking tour along a strip of famous buildings. The first point is Rivadavia Square (Plaza Rivadavia) and opposite it is the important Police Department. Walking a bit further to the south-west you reach San Martin Square (Plaza San Martin). On 6th Street you can see the Government House and on 7th Avenue is the Parliament (Palacio Legislativo), the building where senators and deputies work. The next destination is the “Argentino” theatre, built in a modern style. Right down the street you can find the Town Hall (Palacio Municipal), opposite Moreno Square, and on 14th Street, you can see and visit the Cathedral that was inspired by those in Cologne and Amiens. Many of these buildings were constructed in French style, and all of them date back to La Plata foundation in 1882.

Do

Theatre (Teatro)

• The “Argentino” Theatre

It is a lyric opera house and a cultural centre. It has two halls where ballet, opera and concerts are performed, and two magnificent foyers for art exhibitions. The new “Argentino” theatre was built on the same city block where the original building had been, which was destroyed by a fire. There are free guided tours.

• The “Coliseo Podestá” Theatre

It was built in an “art deco” style at the beginning of the 20th century. Its main hall is decorated in French style. You can see plays and comedies here and it is also a historic building to visit.

Cultural Centers (Centros Culturales)

• “Dardo Rocha” – Cultural Centre

It is located on the square block bounded by 49 and 50 and 6 and 7 Streets, opposite San Martin Square. It is one of the most beautiful palaces in the city. It was built in an eclectic style, a mixture of French and Italian, and it was designed by the Italian architect Francisco Pinaroli. Originally, it was a European style railway station but later, in 1926, the railway station was relocated and the building became a cultural centre. Then it was home to various public offices until 1994 when the Municipality of La Plata took it over and it became part of our Municipal Heritage. Now it is used for the purpose it was created in 1926, as a cultural centre. On the ground floor there is a magnificent hall with elegant columns. It has beautiful floors and an impressive ceiling. Here, visitors can enjoy different activities such as shows, fairs, concerts and conferences. They can also visit the MUMART (Municipal Museum of Art), the MUGAFO (a photograph showroom) and the MACLA (Museum of Latin American Art) Also on the ground floor there is a pub where visitors can have lunch or just relax over a cup of coffee. On the first floor you can find the Municipal School of Art and the Auditorium This place offers visitors different options to spend a nice moment and learn something about our culture and habits.

Concerts

La Plata´s well known reputation of Indie-Rock Bands Creator can be seen in some of the very few pubs that this city has. On the weekends local bands gather in pubs to play (often for free). Most pubs life starts at 2am. Some of La Plata´s rock bands that are now well known in the rest of Argentina started in these pubs }}

• Cinema (Cine)

• Shows (Espectáculos)

• Exhibitions (Exposiciones)

Buy

Second-hand bookshops

In the past they were called, “Librería de Viejo”, now, “Librería de Usados”. All these bookshops have the same layout. In the middle of the room there is a big, rectangular table with books on offer. And on the shelves against the walls, there are difficult to find books, old editions or luxurious bindings. You are not going to find there the latest books of publishing companies but books that have been sold by their owners because of trips, house moving, death, desire to renew, etc. “They are books with a past” says Guyot.(Guyot, H.M. “Larga vida a las librerias de viejo” (Long live the second-hand bookshops!) La Nación, August 10, 2015.) As La Plata is a university city, philosophy, history or good literature books are easy to find and buy and also at a cheap price. If you love books go to “Don Cipriano” (49th Street, 471) or “Libros Lenzi” (Diagonal 77th, 521)

Drink

• Wilkenny. Irish Pub & Restaurant. Calle 11 y 50. 
• Pura Vida, Calle 8 y 61. Has an alternative and Indie atmosphere where locals, musicians and artist hang out at night. Some of the "new wave" Indie-Rock bands (e.g. 107 Faunos, Los Reyes del Falsete) play for more than a convinient coverage. Concerts usually starts very late (2AM) 

Sleep

• Howard Johnson Inn Corregidor, ☏ (54 221) 425-6800NOCC, fax: (54 221) 425-6805NOCC. Calle 6 n° 1026 ( entre 53 y 54 ) - La Plata C.P. B1900DJF Buenos Aires - Argentina. A Four Stars Hotel.