Almagro (Buenos Aires)
Almagro is a district in the geographical center of Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires. It is 4.1 km ² and has almost 140,000 inhabitants (as of 2001). The population density is 34,000 people per square kilometer, which is well above the average of Buenos Aires of 13,531 inhabitants / km ².
The district is bounded on the west through the streets of La Plata and Rio de Janeiro, the Avenida Independencia in the south, the streets Sánchez de Bustamante, Sánchez de Loria and Gallo in the east as well as the avenues Córdoba and Estado de Israel in the north.
Almagro is characterized by its commercial activities along the Avenidas and its high population density due to the high-rise buildings along the railway line. Overall, it is now a residential area of the middle class.
History
In the 18th century the Portuguese businessman Carlos de belonged to the land that forms the west of Almagro today los Santos Valente. The east and the north was owned by Juan María de Almagro y de la Torre, an attorney. His property was confiscated by the government at the time, but returned to him in 1820. Both Santos Valente and Almagro preferred agricultural use and refused any kind of urban development.
In the 19th century, the area was used by dairy farms and brick factories. Caballito Almagro and were at that time between the cities of Buenos Aires and Flores. Almagro was incorporated in 1880 in Buenos Aires. At the same time increased the population. 1878, the San Carlos Church was built. Almagro had been settled by Basque and Italian immigrants. In order to accommodate the immigrants, the so-called Conventillos ( immigrants Hotels) were built. The assimilation of immigrants went on quickly and Almagro was the birthplace of many famous tango pieces. Due to its proximity to the Abasto market, Carlos Gardel was a frequent visitor here and took 1930 also a tango entitled " Almagro " on.
In Almagro is the coffee Las Violeta's, which opened in 1884 and was a popular meeting place. Closed in 1998 but reopened in 2001, it preserves the splendor of bygone golden times. The boxing club on Calle Castro Barros was the site of many important battles.
To date, Almagro is one of the tango centers of the city. The composer and bandleader Osvaldo Pugliese spent his last years here and was involved in the construction of the Casa del Tango.
Others
There is a lively flower market at Acuña de Figeroa Street. On the nearby Plaza Almagro Sundays a book sale takes place. In the Parque Centenario Sundays you can visit an art and crafts and antiques market, and occasionally concerts are scheduled. The district is also the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.
September 28 is " Almagro - day " and is celebrated with parties in the district.