Once upon a time in Flores Buenos Aires. A bustling neighborhood full of life. This is Flores a middle-class barrio in the heart of Buenos Aires. It was once a rural area. It became part of the city in 1888. Flores is where Pope Francis was born.
Imagine grand country houses. Wealthy families owned them. Remnants of these houses still exist. One belonged to Juan Manuel de Rosas. He was the Governor of the Province in the 19th century.
The Marco del Pont family were prominent homeowners. They were descendants of a Spanish governor of Chile. Their Italianate house was built in 1860. They sold it in 1929. It almost faced demolition. The San Jose de Flores Historical Society saved it. The house became a National Historic Monument in 1976. It is now the Marco del Pont Cultural Center.
The neighborhood’s commercial center is near the train station. It is also on Avenida Rivadavia. The Basilica de San Jose de Flores is nearby. It dates back to 1831. Its architectural style is Romantic.
Author Alejandro Dolina created a fictional mythology about Flores. It centers on a grey angel. A famous tango song San Jose de Flores tells of a man returning home after a long absence.
The Pueyrredon Theatre was a famous ballroom. Tango vocalist Edmundo Rivero gained fame there in the 1930s. Early Argentine rock bands like Almendra performed there.
Tragedy struck Flores on September 13 2011. A bus was hit by a train at the Flores rail station. The train derailed. It crashed into another train. Eleven people died. Two hundred twenty-eight were injured.
Flores is home to notable figures. Pope Francis grew up there. So did Roberto Arlt. Author Cesar Aira lives in Flores.
Flores a blend of history culture and modern life. It is a barrio brimming with stories waiting to be discovered. Explore its streets its buildings its spirit. You will find a unique part of Buenos Aires.