Where the pampas stretch towards the horizon lies Carlos Spegazzini. This town, named after the renowned botanist and mycologist, whispers tales of scientific discovery and adventure. Carlos Luis Spegazzini, born in Italy in 1858, left his mark on Argentina’s scientific landscape. He arrived in Argentina in 1879, after a brief stay in Brazil. Carlos Spegazzini quickly immersed himself in the study of Argentina’s fungal diversity. He published “Fungi Argentini” in 1882, describing hundreds of species, many new to science. Carlos Spegazzini’s adventurous spirit led him to join the Bove expedition to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in 1881. Despite a shipwreck, he salvaged his precious herbarium and notes, swimming ashore with them. He collected 461 fungal species during this expedition, documenting them in “Fungi Fuegiani.” He even learned the Fuegian languages. In 1884, Carlos Spegazzini settled in La Plata. He became a professor of botany and later the director of the Provincial University. He established La Plata’s Arboretum and oversaw the planting of trees in the city’s Paseo del Bosque. Carlos Spegazzini’s legacy extends beyond his 150 published monographs. His home in La Plata, bequeathed to the Museo de Ciencias Naturales, became the Instituto Carlos Spegazzini. His collections, books, and scientific instruments form the heart of this institute. The town of Carlos Spegazzini stands as a testament to his contributions to Argentinian botany and mycology.
Convento Santa Teresa
Hidden behind a quiet Almagro street stands the Convento Santa Teresa a true hidden gem. This convent and its accompanying