This tour, apart from being the symbol of rural tradition in Buenos Aires City, transports us to the gaucho culture, the emblematic character of Argentinean history. This fair was born 20 years ago in the area where the old slaughterhouses of the city were located and is today the meeting point for people from the interior of our country who are deeply rooted in the costumes of their provinces and for those who, living in this city, like to spend a while surrounded of handcrafts, typical foods, and folkloric music and dances. Also, the neighborhood was declared, in 1991, as the “neighborhood of the Argentinean Gaucho”.
At 10:30 AM, we will meet at Tangol Agency, in the San Telmo neighborhood. After everybody is together, we will head to the Feria de Antigüedades de San Pedro Telmo (San Pedro Telmo Antique Fair). Since 1970, the Plaza Dorrego and Calle Defensa have hosted a weekly fair every Sunday. Over 10,000 people, including tourists, visit the 270 stalls. The fair features tango music, street performers, antiques, and cultural value, making it a must-visit event.
We'll proceed to the San Telmo Market for those interested in purchasing original and distinctive souvenirs.
We'll head to the southwestern side of the city to the Feria de Mataderos, one of the city's most significant yet lesser-known fairs. Upon arrival, you'll notice a plethora of grills serving delicious meats and traditional dishes. The tour includes a delightful lunch with a taste of empanadas. On some occasions, you may witness horse races or even partake in tango classes!
Then we will have some free time to visit the “Museo Criollo de los Corrales”. This museum is a big sample of rural objects and will give us an idea of how gauchos lived in the Pampas, through clothing, tools, and everyday objects. It will also show us how in our country the stockbreeding industry started to develop, from the period when Indians ruled the pampas until Argentina became one of the main exporters and a world leader in meats. We’ll see in the following rooms weapons, knives, carriages, animals, paintings, and even the famous “quincho” or “ranch”, the meeting point for the countryside meals.
Later, we’ll arrive right back where we started - at the Tangol offices in San Telmo!