Photographing Penguins in Antarctica

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Sunday, 18 January 2026 - A city tour of Buenos Aires focused on historic plazas, major civic and religious landmarks, early-20th-century palaces, and cultural institutions, including Plaza de Mayo, Retiro and Recoleta neighborhoods, notable museums, churches, and monuments, concluding with time at Recoleta Cemetery and an evening meal at a traditional Argentine parrilla.

Today I would tour the northern part of Buenos Aries with Marina. My companions from yesterday were headed back home.

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A street mural depicting a football match between Pope Francis and the late football legend Diego Maradona. The mural is painted on a kiosk associated with Pope Francis' beloved football club, San Lorenzo.
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Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (Iglesia de San Ignacio de Loyola). It is the oldest preserved church in the city.
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Bolivar Street outside my hotel early in the morning.
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The former Banco Argentino Uruguayo building completed in 1928.
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Statue of General Manuel Belgrano in Plaza de Mayo with the huge Argentine flag.
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A close-up of a classical statue mounted on the Casa Rosada facade.
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The Piramide de Mayo.
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The prominent white building in the foreground is the Cabildo, the former seat of the town council during the colonial era. The large, ornate building with the clock tower in the background is the Buenos Aires City Legislature Palace.
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Banco Argentino Uruguayo is an 8-story Beaux-Arts building in Buenos Aires completed in 1928.
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Plaza de Mayo early on a Sunday morning with no people!!!
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Cabildo de Buenos Aires served as the seat of the town council during the colonial era. It was the heart of the May Revolution in 1810, a pivotal moment in the country's history. Erected since 1580, it has stood in the same location ever since.
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The clock tower and rooftop statues of the Buenos Aires City Legislature building. The building is notable for its clock tower and the two bronze statues on the roof, which represent "Work" and "Justice".
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After breakfast I connected with Marina for the tour. This is the Torre Monumental, a clock tower located in the Retiro district. It was a gift from the local British community to commemorate the centenary of Argentina's May Revolution. Inaugurated in 1916, it was originally known as the "Torre de los Ingleses" (Tower of the English). The name was officially changed to Torre Monumental after the 1982 war with Britain.
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The Palacio San Martín (San Martín Palace). It is the ceremonial headquarters for the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Originally built as a residence for the wealthy Anchorena family, it was known as the Anchorena Palace.
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The historic Estrugamou Mansion (Casa Basavilbaso). The stately architecture is an eclectic style influenced by French Baroque. It was built in the first decade of the 1900s for Alejandro Estrugamou.
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This is the Monumento al General San Martín an equestrian statue of General José de San Martín, a key leader in the South American independence from Spain.
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At the base of the statue are allegorical figures that represent key moments in the Argentine War of Independence.
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The Palacio Paz is an example of French Beaux-Arts architecture. The main facade resembles that of typical French châteaux, specifically modeled after the Chantilly Castle. It was finished in 1914 as the private residence of Jose C. Paz. Today Palacio Paz serves as the headquarters for the Circulo Militar (Military Circle), an exclusive social club for retired military officers.
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Stained-glass in Palacio Paz.
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Beautiful tile artwork in the Palacio Paz staircase.
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We were allowed in the Palacio Paz due to a public cafe.
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A tower on a corner of the Palacio Paz.
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The Palacio Haedo (Haedo Palace) the last surviving mansion facing San Martín Square in the Retiro area. The building was completed in the late 19th century. It features a distinctive Neo-Gothic architectural style on a unique triangular block. Originally a family home for Mariano Francisco Haedo, a wealthy banker and railway entrepreneur, it now serves as the headquarters for Argentina's national parks administration.
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The facade of the former Harrod's department store. The store takes up an entire block. It was the only Harrod's store ever opened outside London. The store has been abandoned since 1998.
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The ornate entrance door of the Centro Naval building. The building is a prominent example of French Belle Époche architecture and inaugurated in 1914. The central gate itself was reportedly made from melted cannons used during Argentina's War of Independence.
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Centro Naval building was founded in 1882 by officers of the Argentine Navy as a social club and an institute for the advancement of naval sciences.
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Galerias Pacifico is a mall taking up an entire city block. Work was started in 1894. The mall was in decline until 1989 then it was remodeled to its current state.
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Frescoes in the dome of the galleries. The central panel in the image was painted by Antonio Berni, a famous Argentine artist.
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The Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament is a church consecrated in 1914. Its style is eclectic, inspired by the Cathedral of Angouleme. Construction, which took eight years, was sponsored by Mercedes Castellanos de Anchorena, who lived in the Anchorena Palace located about 500 feet from the church.
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Beautiful stained-glass windows.
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Here I am shooting pictures inside the Basilica.
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This is a bronze panel depicting the Archangel Michael from the doors of the Basilica. The figure is shown in a niche, holding a sword and shield, and standing on a defeated dragon or demon. The inscription on the shield reads "QUIS UT DEUS", which translates from Latin as "Who is like God?", a literal translation of the name Michael.
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Its architecture features five towers - three at the front and two at the apse, which, unlike Gothic cathedrals, are neither spires reaching for the sky nor the square walls of Romanesque churches
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The Floralis Generica, a large kinetic sculpture was inaugurated in 2002. Made of stainless steel and aluminum, the 75-foot-high structure is designed to open its six petals in the morning and close them at sunset, symbolizing the rebirth of hope.
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The Club de Pescadores (Fishermen's Club) building features a distinctive Tudor-style architecture with a prominent central tower and red-tiled roof. It serves as a private social club for fishing enthusiasts. The club was founded in 1903, and the current building was inaugurated in 1937.
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The Hipodromo Argentino de Palermo (Argentine Hippodrome), a major horse racing course and event venue. Hosting around 120 race days and 1,400 races annually. The venue first opened in 1876.
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We visited the National Museum of Decorative Arts where there is a painting of Josefina de Alvear de Errazuriz in the foyer. The museum has its origins in a marriage between two prominent members of Argentine high society: Matias Errazuriz, and Josefina de Alvear. The couple commissioned the palace, which was completed in 1916. When Mrs. Errazuriz died in 1935, she bequeathed the mansion to the Argentine government.
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The second floor of the National Museum of Decorative Arts showing the ornate wooden ceiling and tapestry.
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The British Embassy also known as the Palacio Madero Unzue, was built between 1913 and 1917. It was designed by British architects. The architectural style is Edwardian, combining elements of the Bourbon era with 18th-century English neo-Palladian features.
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A Monument to Bartolome Mitre, an Argentine general, statesman, and president from 1862 to 1868. It was inaugurated on July 8, 1927. The statues below represent different aspects of the nation and its history, reflecting Mitre's legacy as a military leader and historian.
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Our last stop was the Recoleta Cemetery the final resting place for many of Argentina's most notable figures, including presidents, writers, and the iconic Eva Peron (Evita). It is renowned for its stunning architecture, featuring a mix of Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic styles. The site was once an orchard belonging to the Recollect monks and became the city's first public cemetery in 1822. Over 90 of its graves have been designated as national historical sites due to their artistic and historical significance.
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The mausoleums are packed into the 14 acres of the cemetery.
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Beautiful statues in bronze, marble, and granite.
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So much detail everywhere, I could spend the day in the cemetery taking pictures.
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Narrow paths between the mausoleums.
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Angel over a mausoleum.
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Hundreds of beautiful statues.
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This praying woman is on top of the mausoleum.
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Many works of art - a wonderful place to wander.
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Love this sleeping lion.

We then headed back to the hotel. Later I went to an Argentine parrilla (BBQ) for dinner. Very good and very fun.
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