A new urban trekking route, walking and discovering the history, street art, and hidden spots of the City of Buenos Aires.
I started and finished this walk at the emblematic intersection of Scalabrini Ortiz Ave. and Santa Fe Ave. Crossing Córdoba Ave., I left Palermo to enter the Villa Crespo neighborhood, with the main goal of visiting two of its iconic green spaces: Plaza General Benito Nazar and Plaza 24 de Septiembre.
📸 On the way: Details and Urban Art
• Skulls and biker culture: Upon reaching the corner of Murillo Street (renowned for its leather goods stores) along Scalabrini Ortiz Ave., I came across a motorcycle clothing shop. I snapped a photo of an eye-catching mannequin decorated with a skull and the number 666, traditionally known as the number of the beast.
• Surrealist mural: I found a beautiful piece of urban art created in 2021 for a food spot by Chilean artist Florencia Campóo. She described her work as follows:
"A surrealist mural depicting a woman with a blue butterfly resting on her face. The hands and vibrant colors create an enigmatic atmosphere."
You can view the artwork profile on Muralia: https://muralia.art/us/en/muralists/m/b582d385-19e6-4256-beb4-c2527c38d6da/mural/sin-titulo-b7d783 Check out the process posts and the finished piece on Instagram: Post 1, Post 2, and Post 3. https://www.instagram.com/moff.cl/p/COIkn3Nr8LO/ https://www.instagram.com/moff.cl/p/COIkhNTL_io/ https://www.instagram.com/moff.cl/p/CM2OLdnL17h/
The detail: The hidden skull within the design. View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moff.cl/p/CPCF9HhrmZw/
🌳 Plaza General Benito Nazar This square is located on land that belonged to the Nazar family and was donated to the Municipality by Inés Nazar Yañiz (or María J. Nazar), daughter of General Benito Nazar (1801–1886), a military figure with distinguished service in the War against Brazil, the defense of Buenos Aires in 1852, and who served as Minister of War. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_Benito_Nazar
It features a central flagpole and serves as a core hub where the neighborhood’s anniversary celebrations are typically held. Facing it is the Benito Nazar Association, also set on land donated by the family.
Learn more about the square on WebOEBA: https://www.weboeba.com/villacrespo/espacios_verdes/plaza_bnazar/pz_bnazar.html
Highlights in the square:
• Tribute to Horacio "El Negro" Fontova: A touching monument paying tribute to the beloved musician and artist. The piece includes a majolica tile with his portrait, unveiled in November 2023 by the Club Atlético Atlanta and various neighborhood organizations. Articles about the unveiling: Página/12 | InfoAgronomía. https://www.pagina12.com.ar/617510-villa-crespo-homenajeo-a-horacio-el-negro-fontova/ https://infoagronomia.com.ar/emotivo-homenaje-al-negro-fontova-en-villa-crespo
• Nature and decoration: During the visit, I came across a bird and admired the square's antique ornamental vases.
🌳 Plaza 24 de Septiembre This square pays homage to the Battle of Tucumán (September 24, 1812), one of the most decisive battles of the Argentine War of Independence. There, General Manuel Belgrano led the Army of the North and the people of Tucumán against royalist troops, halting the Spanish advance and saving the patriot cause.
You can read the full history of this space on WebOEBA: https://www.weboeba.com/villacrespo/espacios_verdes/plaza_24setiembre/oe/0565hjebandera.html
Monuments and elements in the square:
• Flagpole (1949): Donated by the Parent-Teacher Association of the Hipólito Vieytes Commercial School, it stands 15 meters tall. Its front relief depicts Gen. Manuel Belgrano standing in period uniform, holding the National Flag. More information here: https://www.weboeba.com/villacrespo/espacios_verdes/plaza_24setiembre/oe/0565hjebandera.html
• Bust of General José de San Martín (1963): A bronze artwork on a masonry base clad in travertine marble (sculpted by Luis Perlotti in 1961). Although its bronze plaque is missing today, it commemorated the 113th anniversary of his passing, donated by the Av. San Martín Merchants Association. See details of the bust: https://www.weboeba.com/villacrespo/espacios_verdes/plaza_24setiembre/oe/1137sanmartin.html
• "Maternidad" (Motherhood) Sculpture (1936): Created by sculptor Ricardo Musso (1896–1998). It is a life-sized work made of bush-hammered natural stone on a polished granite base one meter high. More about the sculpture: https://www.weboeba.com/villacrespo/espacios_verdes/plaza_24setiembre/oe/0305maternidad.html
• Malvinas Mural (2026): A work created by the Vianda Social Comunitaria featuring the silhouette of the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, the phrase "To the Heroes of Malvinas", and the figure of Antonio "El Gaucho" Rivero.
• The fountain: The square features an ornamental fountain; at the time of my visit, a neighbor was scooping water out with a bucket to wash his car.
🏛️ Final Stretch and Neighborhood Memory Leaving the square, I took a photo of the facade of Primary School No. 16 "Andrés Ferreyra", a building with a sober and classic structure, typical of traditional public schools in Buenos Aires. Right at that moment, a fire truck drove by crossing the street.
To round off the walk, heading back along Scalabrini Ortiz Ave. (corner of Castillo St.), I photographed a commemorative plaque installed by Villa Crespo's feminist collectives dedicated to Paquita Bernardo ("The Flower of Villa Crespo", 1900–1925), the first professional female bandoneon player and tango composer in Argentina.
"Paquita Bernardo played here. First professional female bandoneonist and tango composer. Villa Crespo's feminist memory embraces you."
Read her biography on Wikipedia and learn about her cultural legacy in the article by the Instituto Nacional de Estudios Teatro: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paquita_Bernardo https://inet.cultura.gob.ar/noticia/homenaje-a
Tags: Urban hiking, Urban Trek, City walk, Urban tour, Villa Crespo, Palermo, CABA, Buenos Aires.
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