Felicitas Guerrero, a name whispered with reverence and sorrow, echoes within the walls of Iglesia Santa Felicitas. This stunning church, right before your eyes, isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a monument to a life tragically cut short, a love story intertwined with heartbreak. Iglesia Santa Felicitas stands as a testament to a daughter, wife, and mother lost too soon. Felicitas, known as one of the most beautiful women in Buenos Aires, was tragically murdered in 1872 by a rejected suitor, Enrique Ocampo. Her parents, consumed by grief, commissioned this very church in her memory, completing it in 1875. The architect, Ernesto Bunge, blended eclectic and Gothic styles, creating a unique architectural masterpiece. Notice the intricate details, the French stained glass windows, the Spanish mosaic floors, and the chandeliers that once held carbide gaslight. Inside Iglesia Santa Felicitas, an unusual sight awaits you. Marble statues of Felicitas, her children, and her husband, Martín de Álzaga, grace the interior. It’s the only church in Buenos Aires to house secular statues, a poignant reminder of the family’s immense loss. Martín de Álzaga, Felicitas’s husband, had a connection to this land. He was the nephew of the colonial-era owner of the very ground upon which the church stands. Felicitas herself had inherited a vast 70,000-hectare estate upon his death, a portion of which was the orange grove where the church now stands. The church was built in front of a pre-existing family chapel, now used as the sacristy. Look closely at the marble statues in the vestibule. One depicts Martín de Álzaga, while the other portrays Felicitas with her son, Felix. These figures serve as a constant presence, a reminder of the lives tragically interrupted. Iglesia Santa Felicitas is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a tangible representation of love, loss, and remembrance.
Convento Santa Teresa
Hidden behind a quiet Almagro street stands the Convento Santa Teresa a true hidden gem. This convent and its accompanying