Gazing upon La fuente de la doncella, one might hear whispers of its intriguing journey. La fuente de la doncella, also known as the Catalan Fountain, is a beautiful marble statue. It depicts a nude woman drawing water from a basin. This statue is a gift from the Catalan community in Argentina to the city of Buenos Aires. It was created by the renowned Barcelona artist Josep Llimona i Bruguera. The statue’s inauguration took place on July 19, 1931, in Parque Rivadavia, near a beloved ombú tree. It remained there until 1970. It was then moved to Plaza San Martín. In the Plaza, it stood opposite the statue of Esteban Echeverría until 2009. Finally, La fuente de la doncella returned to its original home in Parque Rivadavia. The story goes that the Catalan community commissioned the statue during Bruguera’s visit to Argentina in 1925. The statue represents a young woman about to draw water. Interestingly, a critic in Barcelona, before the statue’s journey to Argentina, remarked on the cultural differences regarding public nudity. He noted that Buenos Aires seemed more accepting than Barcelona. The statue’s relocation in 1970 from Parque Rivadavia was due to concerns about its appropriateness, nestled between a shrine to the Virgin of Luján and a monument to motherhood. After years in Plaza San Martín, the residents of Caballito campaigned for the statue’s return. In 2009, La fuente de la doncella was finally placed back in Parque Rivadavia, a testament to its enduring beauty and the community’s attachment to it.
Convento Santa Teresa
Hidden behind a quiet Almagro street stands the Convento Santa Teresa a true hidden gem. This convent and its accompanying