Have you ever strolled through a park that whispers tales of the past? Welcome to Parque Saavedra in Buenos Aires. This isn’t just any green space. It’s a living testament to a bygone era.
Parque Saavedra started as a vast estate. Luis Maria Saavedra a relative of the First Junta president bought the land in the mid-19th century. He built a grand house around 1880. The grounds included stables for bulls and horses a poultry farm and a piggery. A charming dovecote stood tall. Most remarkably a lake remains to this day a silent witness to history.
Luis Maria Saavedra died in 1900. After his wife Damaza Zelaya de Saavedra’s death in 1929 the national government expropriated the property. Parque Saavedra was officially born.
Did you know it’s one of the oldest parks in Buenos Aires? It even predates Parque Tres de Febrero. Imagine the area’s original landscape. Beyond the lake stood a colonial tower at the entrance. A Dutch windmill stood sentinel. The park was originally called Paseo del Lago. The lake was fed by the Arroyo Medrano which is now underground. Two devastating floods in the 1980s due to severe storms forced its rerouting. The water could not flow into the Rio de la Plata. Inundations reached a depth of one and a half meters.
Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier a renowned landscape architect envisioned transforming the park. His 1924 plan preserved the beautiful area. However it was redesigned in the French style. It incorporated geometric designs and symmetry. The focus extended beyond contemplation. The park now offered recreational activities. Plans included a play area a swimming pool changing rooms. Fitness areas were also designed. Even a music kiosk was planned. The green spaces expanded thanks to the removal of nearby houses. This created a green extension of the park in the surrounding areas.
Parque Saavedra today boasts a perimeter of 1.28 kilometers. It has a state school a sports center with a pool. A merry-go-round and a bocce court invite recreation. A shed stores maintenance tools. A playground and a bike path were recently added. In the late 1990s impressive lion statues and diverse plants were placed at the entrance on Pinto Street.
A vibrant market once thrived here. Now only a smaller temporary one operates on Thursdays. It offers meat fish fruits and vegetables. A weekend market sells a variety of goods.
So next time you seek respite in Buenos Aires remember Parque Saavedra. It’s more than just a park. It’s a treasure trove of stories. A tangible link to the city’s rich history. It’s a place where past and present beautifully coexist. Enjoy your exploration.