 Ports are doorways, and the history of Buenos Aires can best be entered through its port. "The Port City," as the colonizers called it, allowed commerce into a region so vast that it reached the lands of what is now Perú.
THE FOUNDING OF BUENOS AIRES
On February 2, 1536, the conqueror Don Pedro de Mendoza arrived by land at the coast of Buenos Aires. His mission was to populate the lands of the Rio de la Plata, which were of great interest to the Spanish crown. Mendoza christened the city Espíritu Santo and named its port Nuestra Señora del Buen Ayre. He was faced with food scarcities and hostilities from the indigenous people that stifled his progress. For these reasons, he decided to leave and return to Spain.
Nearly forty years later, Juan de Garay arrived on a second attempt: on the 29th of May 1580, he made the second founding. Garay and his crew began working to organize the city. They selected the highest ground as a defensive point against potential attacks. The acclaimed monument, Palo de la Justicia, was built on what today is the Plaza de Mayo. In addition, they organized the Cabildo, which was the highest administrative institution, and they erected a church where the Metropolitan Cathedral now stands. The city was then named Santísima Trinidad, and its port, Santa María de los Buenos Aires.
THE ERA OF VICEROYALTY
Not until the 18th century and the creation of the viceroyalty did Buenos Aires cease to be a village. The first viceroy of the transformation, Juan José de Vértiz, installed street lamps, cobblestones and the first printing press. The fort was used as the seat of the viceroy, located on the site of the current government offices. Another point of reference from this era is the church of San Ignacio. Constructed by the Jesuits, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city.
More History of Buenos Aires... |
|
