Resistencia Overview

By Shawn O'Bryant

Resistencia, "The City of Sculptures," is just a baby in comparison to many  other cities in Argentina. Founded in 1878, it is the capital of Chaco province and has a self proclaimed "more modern" attitude than some of the surrounding, conservative cities. Plaza 25 de Mayo is truly the center of town, an important reference point and close to everything of importance in this city. Resistencia is laid out in a meticulous grid, with plenty of street signs, so orientation and getting around is easy.

Sculptures can be found literally on every corner, street, park, plaza and walkway. More than 460 can be found in all, incorporating a plethora of styles, eras and mediums that have helped establish Resistencia's reputation as an open-air museum. Along with mountains of public art, there are also a number of interesting official museums such as the Natural Science Museum (Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Ave. Laprida and Carlos Pellegrini) with a collection of local flora and fauna, the Police Museum (Museo Policial, Julio A. Roca 233) with impressive collections of weapons and arms, and the Museum of the Chaco Man (Museo del Hombre Chaqueño, Juan B. Justo 250) which covers the history of people of Chaco province, with colonial and indigenous artifacts and information in both English and Spanish.

Along the banks of the Rio Negro, about 10 blocks from Plaza 25 de Mayo there is a small Costanera (river walk) with a few nightclubs, the official Sculpture Museum and Parque 2 de Febrero (Ave. Avalos 1000). The park has tons of resources, including BBQ's, a swimming pool, camping, bathrooms with showers, a lake, a playground and an open-air theater. Camping costs $2.50 and access to the pool is $.75. Resistencia also has a thumping nightlife, although it is generally confined to the weekends. To catch the action, head towards the entrance of town on Avenida Sarmiento, where clubs get going late and continue till dawn.