Perhaps this very spot was the site of Buenos Aires’ first foundation. That’s a debated topic even now. Welcome to the Vuelta de Rocha. It is a historic place in La Boca. This area is a meander where the Riachuelo meets the Río de la Plata.
Back in 1635, Antonio Rocha acquired this land. Since then, it has been known as Vuelta de Rocha. The Riachuelo once curved around a low, flood-prone area. Antonio Rocha’s land was the area within this curve.
In colonial times, Hernando Arias de Saavedra ordered a defensive tower built here. This was after English corsairs robbed ships in 1607. The Vuelta de Rocha became an important historical point.
During the independence war, Admiral Guillermo Brown set up an arsenal here. He repaired Argentine ships that fought the royalists. Later, during the war against Brazil, they built gunboats here. These boats played a crucial role in naval campaigns.
From the mid-19th century, many shipyards were established near the Vuelta de Rocha. One of them was Badaracco.
Urban development transformed the Vuelta de Rocha over time. In 1885, they eliminated the natural lobe shape during the Buenos Aires port project. This reconfigured the area into the docks you see today.
The Vuelta de Rocha has a deep connection to popular culture. It blends Buenos Aires traditions with foreign influences. Immigrants contributed to Argentina’s progress and formed lasting ties.
The Escuela-Museo Pedro de Mendoza stands as a tribute to this history. Benito Quinquela Martín founded it in 1936. History and culture intertwine here. It captures the essence of a place that has witnessed Buenos Aires’ transformation.
The Vuelta de Rocha lies on Pedro de Mendoza Street. It sits between Del Crucero and Rocha streets in La Boca. In 1580, Juan de Garay gave these lands to Captain Alonso de Vera. By 1805, small ships came from the Río de la Plata. They stopped at Gáldez port near the Vuelta de Rocha.
A 1810 map mentions the Vuelta de Rocha. It served as a reference point on the road to San Miguel del Monte. In 1836, Carlos Enrique Pellegrini painted a watercolor of the Vuelta de Rocha. He called it Puerto de los Tachos. It showed a cargo ship and people building a raft.
The Vuelta de Rocha was declared a historical site in 1948. This acknowledges its importance to Argentina.
The plazoleta called De Los Suspiros is found in this small cove that describes the course of the Riachuelo. The Genoese used to gather in this location to fondly remember their faraway homeland. A bust of Admiral Guillermo Brown, created by Julio Vergotini, is located there. A cannon that formerly belonged to the Admiral’s flagship, the Fragata 25 de Mayo, stands out in one corner. A mast with marine decorations and a plaque are in the center.
Every weekend, a craft fair is held at the Vuelta de Rocha. Take a moment to imagine the ships, the battles, and the immigrants. They all contributed to the rich history of this unique place.