Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, Buenos Aires, Catholic church in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is a Catholic church in downtown Buenos Aires that has grown since 1797, incorporating architectural elements from different periods of construction. Its walls measure roughly two meters thick, creating a solid structure that shapes the character of the central district.
The church grounds served as a medical treatment area during the British Invasions of 1806 and 1807, with casualties from both sides buried on site. This role shows how important this place was during one of the city's most turbulent moments.
The central courtyard, known as Patio de la Reconquista, displays a statue of Saint Clare that links to local devotional practices. This space remains a place where visitors can connect with religious traditions that have endured in the city for centuries.
The church maintains regular visiting hours and stands near public transportation routes in the central district. Visitors should wear modest clothing and check access before entering, as the space may occasionally have restricted visiting times.
A crypt beneath the choir houses the remains of roughly 260 Capuchin Poor Clare nuns and the tomb of Viceroy Pedro Melo de Portugal. This hidden chamber below ground connects worldly and spiritual history in an unexpected place within the church.
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