SAN ANTONIO DE ARECO
San Antonio de Areco also called Los Pagos de Areco (meaning Areco city) is a town placed 110 Km. from downtown in Buenos Aires province, where traditions remain intact as nowhere in Argentina. Should you ask for gauchos, mate, horses and estancias everybody would answer: San Antonio de Areco, the homeland of national tradition.
The reason might be that one of the masterpieces of argentine gauchos’ literature: “Don Segundo Sombra” was written by Ricardo Guiraldes who lived in these lands. His family owned a big estancia, “La Porteña”, where the main part of his novel was created. This estancia had belonged to José Ruiz de Arellano, who founded the city by mid 1700´s. Today it is visited by hundreds of tourists and locals.
Contrary to the crazy atmosphere in a big metropolis, the life in a small town as Areco is peaceful and relaxed. Visitors receive a warm welcome and hospitality from San Antonio de Areco’s people.
The tourism is together with agricultural production one of the most important activities in San Antonio de Areco. The city is located in a very rich zone of the Argentine territory where wide extensions of wheat and corn soybeans grow easily, giving important revenues to the local economy.
As part of the large tourism attractions, visitors can enjoy spectacles performed by Gauchos, equestrian skill demonstrations and folk music events, everywhere in San Antonio de Areco. By the Areco river there are many restaurants, parrillas and bars where barbecue is a must. During week-ends entire families spend their leisure time in this recreational area.
The museum (Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Guiraldes) was created in 1933, in memory of the pioneer of the Gauchos history, Ricardo Guiraldes .It hosts a celebrated permanent exhibition of traditional pieces of the history and way of life of famous Gauchos, such as weapons, musical instruments, old books, historical documents, and silver and leather handcrafts.
Part of the cultural heritage is also the Quinta Guerrico, considered the oldest bridge in the country, the old church dedicated to San Antonio de Padua, Plaza Arellano, and the Museum of science. Not to be missed in this area are the famous “pulperías”, where Gauchos used to gather, for a drink and played the guitars. Many of these venues can be found by the river.
Additionally, there are many old estancias, managed by their old owners that offer an all day visit, barbecue, regional meals, swimming pool and equestrian activities. It allows the visitor to live a real and unforgettable gaucho experience.
The region holds a complete cultural and educational activity with many professional and technical centers, bilingual primary and high-schools, and two important libraries.
The commercial area of San Antonio de Areco runs along Alsina street, where artisans shops, silver, leather, regional clothes and all kind of gaucho appliances can be found at very good prices.
Day of the Tradition, on November 11th is a regional holiday when the city holds a very important and popular feast. Native music, folklore dancer, and Gaucho shows are some of the attractions of this annual celebration in San Antonio de Areco.
There is plenty ways to access this beautiful city. Visitors can get in San Antonio de Areco either by car, following the Northern Acces or Ruta Panamericana ,by bus from the Retiro Terminal Station ,or by train from the Retiro Train Station.
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