Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Belén, Buenos Aires, Colonial church in San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Belén is a colonial church in San Telmo with a Latin cross layout, central dome, and side chapels. Two 40-meter towers with white tiles and plateresque stucco frame the facade, while the restored cloisters now contain a museum displaying historical objects.
Construction began in 1734 under Jesuit architects Andrea Bianchi and Juan Primoli, reflecting the religious influence of the Society of Jesus in Buenos Aires. The towers were not completed until 1876 by engineer Pedro Benoit, showing how the building evolved over more than a century.
The interior holds valuable altars and paintings from the Cuzco school, including a collection of twelve paintings from the 18th century depicting scenes from Christ's life. These artworks shape the visual character of the space and invite visitors to experience their spiritual meaning.
The church is located at Humberto Primero 340 in Buenos Aires and is easily accessible in the historic San Telmo neighborhood. The restored cloister museum has limited visiting hours, so it is worth planning your visit in advance.
During the yellow fever epidemic of 1871, the building was temporarily converted into a hospital to care for those affected by the disease. This unexpected role shows how the structure served the community beyond its original religious purpose.
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