Rosario on the Parana River

In our armchair travels we have arrived on the continent of South America. This is a very large continent located in the western hemisphere, mostly in the southern hemisphere and a small part of it in the northern hemisphere. It is surrounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east and north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the northwest by the Caribbean Sea and connected with North America in the northeast part. Altogether there are twelve independent countries and three dependent territories. We will look at the countries in alphabetical order.

Our travels begin in Argentina a massive nation with terrain that encompasses the Andes Mountains, glacial lakes and Pampas grasslands.

Our first stop is Rosario a major port city on the Parana River. The city is proud of its location and the best way to see what both the river and the delta have to offer is to rent a kayak and get out on the Parana. This is the second-longest river in South America. In your kayak you can paddle around the city’s waterfront and sandy beaches. If you prefer you can take a motorboat tour or a cruise, so you can see more of the canals, agriculture and rural life outside the city.

Rosario sits on the banks of the Rio Parana upper delta. This is a 60 km-wide area that consists mostly of uninhabited, subtropical islands and winding streams. It is rich with birds and animals. Even if on the islands you feel somewhere miles away you can still see the buildings in the city. Boat services and tours are available.

 

Costanera is the most attractive feature of this city. It is the waterfront which stretches about 15km from its southern end at Parque Urquiza to the city’s northern edge where the suspension bridge crosses into Entre Rios province.

It a wonderful place for strolling and seeing birdlife, people watching, catching some impromptu “futbol” games and watching the cargo ship sailing by.

Monumento Nacional a La Bandera resting in a crypt beneath this colossal stone obelisk is the man who designed the Argentine flag, Manuel Belgrano.

This was the place where the flag was first raised. You can take an elevator to the top for amazing views of the city.

There is an eternal flame that commemorates those who died for their fatherland. This monument to the national flag of Argentina is one of the city’s real tourist attractions. If you like you can arrive at 8:15 AM in the morning to watch the raising of the flag.

Parque Urquiza is a waterfront park near the flag memorial. Here you can stroll, relax and pick up some food from the vendors.

People do some exercising on the trails and equipment here. You can also bring some food and have a picnic. There’s an amphitheater where occasional performers play and within the park is an astronomical observatory. There is a children’s playground and on its edges many restaurants and bars.

Mercado de Pulgas del Bajo is a great flea market opened in 1982. It is one of the oldest markets of its kind in the city. It is located next to the National Flag Memorial. On Saturdays and Sundays there are stalls of over 50 artisans and craftsmen. Things like small handicrafts, leather good, silver, candles, incense burners and mate gourds are for sale. You can get some delicious food from the food carts.

Rosario is the birthplace of the famous Argentine revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara. You can see his former home in a neo-Classical building on Entre Rios 480. This is a private apartment so you can only view it from the outside.

There is a 4-m tall statue made up of 75,000 pieces of donated bronze, erected in his memory located along 27 de Febrero in a plaza named in his memory.

Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Rosario has found its home in a brightly painted grain silo on the waterfront. The eight silos have been painted in different colors and a glass elevator will take you to the top. Here you can see temporary exhibitions, mostly by young local artists. There are small galleries spread over eight floors. From the top you can have a good view of the river islands. This museum is also known as MACRO and houses what’s possibly the most important collection of contemporary art in the country. On the ground floor is a wonderful riverside cafe. Davis offers 180-degree views of the river.

Teatro El Circulo is a historic theater that was renovated in 2004 to celebrate its 100^th anniversary. Today it functions as a cultural center and stage for international performers, rock bands and operas. It has room for 1,450 people within five levels and the dome of the main room is painted with lovely frescoes. Visitors can take a guided tour. When a performance is going on the acoustics are great and during intermissions you can buy champagne and empanadas.

Parque de la Independencia is the city’s largest park. It has gardens and a lake where you can rent paddle boats. You can feed the ducks and there are fountains with “dancing waters”. Within the park are food vendors, a history museum, a fine arts museum and a children’s play area.

Also you’ll find Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, a futbol stadium, home to Newell’s Old Boys. It also has a museum which is not open on match days.

One of the museums within the park is the Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes. This gallery has inventive displays of contemporary and 20^th century artwork from the Macro-collection and its small collection of European artwork. This museum was named for one of the city’s most important art collectors. It offers exhibits that change regularly and permanent collections by European, Argentine and local artists. There are more than 3,000 artworks exhibited in 35 rooms, many of them donated from the private collections of local aristocrats. Some of the artwork dates back to the 15^th century and in the current collection are paintings by famous artists like Goya, El Greco and Ribera.

Also in the Parque de la Independencia is the Museo Historico Provincial “Julio Marc” where you can learn about the local, regional and national history. The collection includes artifacts from several South American cultures. There are over 30 rooms displaying things like textiles and tools from indigenous people, weapons, coins, medals and Hispanic art. Visitors can also learn about the colonial times and Argentina’s struggle for independence.

Basilica Catedral de Nuestra Senora del Rosario an impressive cathedral that is ornate and lovely on the inside. Visitors can attend services.

The Italian marble altar is amazing as is the architecture of the domes and the beautiful frescoes painted on the ceiling. It is located in the oldest part of the city and located next to the municipal building, el Palacio de los Leones.

Costanera Sur is a grassy zone below downtown that offers a nice place for strolling and jogging. The Estacion Fluvial building offers boat trips and a place for eating and drinking.

Costanera Norte is the strip that in the summertime attracts crowds for its beaches.

The public beach of Rambla Catalunya is backed by a promenade and restaurants and bars.

 

Balneario La Florida is one of Rosario’s best beaches. There is a safe bathing area. Picturesque stalls behind it sell river fish. You can get a four-day pass.

Parque de Espana has become a river bank landmark. It has a mausoleum-like edifice.

 

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/argentina/rosario/attractions/a/poi-sig/363049

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/25-best-things-rosario-argentina/

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