Corrientes

Corrientes, the capital city of the province of the same name, has a long and rich history, dating back to the middle 16th century. One of the oldest cities in Argentina, Corrientes served as an important middle point, connecting the two colonial powerhouses of Asunción (now Paraguay) and Buenos Aires. Located on the banks of the Paraná River, it spreads out from its original foundation at Plaza 25 de Mayo in a standardized grid pattern which was established with much modernistic intent in 1588. The city’s original name was San Juan de Vera de las Siete Corrientes, for the seven natural points of land that just into the river that create distinct currents.

Corrientes is still in the middle of activity. The governmental power wielded from Plaza 25 de Mayo administrates the only province in Argentina which shares borders with three other countries: Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Although it is a substantial city by all accounts, it retains the ambiance of olden times and small town tranquility. Filled with colonial buildings, churches, plazas and museums, Corrientes is both progressively modern and proudly historical.

The riverfront has a nice walkway called the Costanera which has a number of pier-like parks which jut out into the river. Good for an afternoon stroll, especially on the weekends, a collection of informative signs can be found with interesting facts in both Spanish and English. East of the port is Parque Mitre on the point of the same name (Avenida JT de Vera y Aragón and Avenida Poncho Verde). Here murals recount different aspects of the War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870), during which time Paraguayan forces occupied Corrientes. On the north side of a monument designed by Luis Perlotti, Argentine General and then-President Bartolomé Mitre faces Paraguay on the other side of the river. On the opposite side of the obelisk are Las Cautivas, five Correntinas who were kidnapped by the enemy forces.

Calle Junín is the commercial heart of Corrientes and stretches for six blocks as a pedestrian mall before butting into Plaza Cabral, the most significant central reference point and where the city’s cathedral is. Corrientes also offers a number of artistic and historic gems, such as the Teatro Oficial Juan de Vera, one of northern Argentina’s most important venues for cultural expression; the Casa Lagraña , a house important in the history of the Guerra de la Triple Alianza (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-noon. Pellegrino, between Salta and Buenos Aires); and a whole host of museums. Each of the city’s churches has a tale waiting to be heard. Something not to be missed while in Corrientes is chamamé music, the provinces home-spun music commonly played on weekends at parrilla restaurants and at festivals.

(Altitude: 52 m / 171 ft, Population: 321,902, Phone Code: 03783)

Neighborhoods in Corrientes: Around Corrientes,

Other places nearby Corrientes: Santa Ana De Los Guácaras, San Cosme, Esteros Del Iberá, Itatí, Rosario, Santa Fe, Paraná and Mburucuyá.