Retiro Train Station
The most important train station in Buenos Aires in the Estación Retiro, found within walking distance of Plaza San Martín. Three train lines converge here, taking passengers to destinations like Tigre, Tucumán and Córdoba.
Buenos Aires in the early 20th century must have been the world’s most exciting city, awash in wealth and optimism. All over town, buildings of astounding elegance were sprouting up, from the Teatro Colón to the Palacio Paz, and in 1909, construction began on a train station in Retiro. With French stylings and a steel frame built in Liverpool, the Estación Retiro was representative of Buenos Aires’ European obsession. The iron roof was the largest of its kind and, upon completion, the station was considered the world’s most beautiful.
The northern side of Estación Retiro is a serious no-go zone. For some reason, the city’s most infamous shantytowns, its villas miserías have risen up here. We’ve been tempted to explore them, some amazing and heartbreaking photographs are sure to be had, but every porteño we’ve floated the idea by has suggested, and even made us promise, that we would stay away.
I’ll be one more begging you not to even try to enter a villa. It sure is tempting but it’s not a great idea, tourist are easy targets.
Btw, beautiful pics as always 🙂
Agreeing with Jime. Do you look veeery foreign?
I wouldn’t tempt fate, but that’s just me.
And I agree with the two of you :). I would be way too nervous about my camera. Would love to take pictures there but I think it’s not worth it risking it.
You are such great photografers!! I love all of your photos! Soooo, don’t dare enter the villas!! ^^
I don’t know if you’ll read this. Anyway, I have done some social assistance in Villa 31: I can send you a map of interesting spots, and I can even lead you to safe places (especially the parish). But only if you promise that you won’t speak at all (being an outsider is dangerous, advertising you’re foreigners is even more dangerous), and that you’ll keep your cameras in your bags unless I tell you it’s safe to take them out.
All central train stations in Argentina were built in a rich Victorian style, not French at all. Nice pix tho
Thank you for the comment. According to: Wikipedia, and Todo Buenos Aires, the building is done in French-style. I’m sure there are Victorian, English and Neoclassical influences as well…