Page 168 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

166  ARGENTINA REGION B Y REGION

2 Parque Nacional Río Paraná towards palm-
Pre-Delta fringed beaches. Boats to the
facing islands depart from
Road map C2. 62 miles (100 km) N the river’s waterfront.
of Rosario. n 25 de Mayo 389,
Diamante; (0343) 498-3535. E Museo Histórico Martiniano
Open 7:30am–7:30pm daily.  Leguizamón
Laprida y Buenos Aires.
Created in 1992, Parque Tel (0343) 420-7869. Open
Nacional Pre-Delta protects 8am–12:30pm, 3–8pm Tue-Fri; 9am–
10 sq miles (26 sq km) of noon, 3–7pm Sat; 9am–noon Sun.
subtropical wet lands. The
landscape is a mosaic of
marshland, floating islands, A water channel in Parque Nacional 4 Santa Fe
lakes, and drainage channels. Pre-Delta Road map C2. 104 miles (167 km) N
The islands, edged by lush of Rosario. * 370,000. ~ @
forests, are marked at their 3 Paraná n Belgrano 2910 (in bus station),
centers by deep, almost Road map C2. 84 miles (136 km) N of (0342) 457-4124, (0342) 457-4128.
permanently inundated Rosario. * 238,000. ~ @ n Ave ∑ santafeturismo.gov.ar
depressions. These form Buenos Aires 132, (0343) 423-0183.
lagoons that harbor the park’s _ Festival Provincial del Mate (Feb). Steeped in history, Santa Fe also
main botanical feature, the ∑ turismoparana.gov.ar has a spectacular archi tectural
irupé, the giant Victoria water heritage. Its most important
lily, which sits on the A historic destination, Paraná buildings cluster around Plaza
water’s surface like a is home to fine 19th-century 25 de Mayo. The white washed
floating bowl. architecture and long stretches façade of the Jesuit-built Iglesia
Myriad bird of river beaches. It was Nuestra Señora de los Milagros
species, including declared capital of the con ceals a lavish interior that
the ringed kingfisher, Argentinian Confederation in contains a painting of the
which is the park’s 1854, and on its main square, Immaculate Virgin from 1634 by
symbol, and numerous Plaza Primero de Mayo, stands Cavaillé-Coll. Dominating the
large wading birds are the old Antiguo Senado de square’s southern end, the
easily sighted. Other la Confederación, the beautiful Casa de Gobierno was
animals include Colorful ringed nation’s then seat of built on the site of the colonial
the semi-aquatic kingfisher govern ment. Ornamented cabildo where the Argentinian
capybara, coipu, and by classic Italianate Constitution was signed in 1853.
a popu lation of broad-nosed fountains and yatay palms, the South of the square is Iglesia
caiman. As only a fraction of plaza is fronted by Palacio y Convento de San Francisco,
the park is accessi ble by foot, Municipal, Escuela Normal built between 1662 and 1695,
there are boat excur sions that Paraná, and the Catedral with a beautifully conserved
embark from the park’s entry Municipal. A few blocks east interior. A stroll away from the
point at La Jaula. The longest from the plaza is the Museo church is Museo Histórico
one navigates the narrow Histórico Martiniano Provincial Brigadier General
water channels to Isla Las Leguizamón, named after the Estanislao López, which
Mangas, where there is a gaucho who fought for the functions within a colonial
hiking trail that leads to rights of the indigenous people. house. Its variety of exhibits
Laguna Los Baños. This lake North of the plaza, Parque includes antique, ornate mate
is often covered with irupés. Urquiza descends the bank of gourds and unique displays
on the 19th-century struggle
between Unitarios and the
Urquiza-led Federalists.
R Iglesia y Convento de
San Francisco
Amenábar 2257. Tel (0342) 459-3303.
Open 8:30am–6:30pm daily.
E Museo Histórico
Provincial Brigadier General
Estanislao López
San Martín 1490. Tel (0342) 457-3529.
Open 8:30am–noon & 3:30–8:30pm
Tue–Fri, 5–8pm Sat, Sun, & hols.
& 8 Tue–Fri. ∑ museobrigadier
The elegant façade of Catedral Municipal, Paraná lopez.gob.ar
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p280 and pp292–3

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm