During the XVII and XVIII centuries, San Telmo began to populate and expand, acquiring the name of “Alto de San Pedro” due to its elevated position. Also known as “Barrio del Puerto” this district witnessed the fervour for San Pedro González Telmo and the foundation of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Belén in 1734 by the Jesuits. However, the construction work was left unfinished after the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, and the area came under the parish of the Inmaculada Concepción.
San Telmo underwent an abrupt transformation after the yellow fever epidemic of 1871, when many wealthy families left the neighbourhood in search of better sanitary conditions in other areas of the city. Despite this, San Telmo retains its historical essence and rich colonial architecture, reflected in its low houses, courtyards with cisterns and cobblestone streets.
At the heart of the neighbourhood is Plaza Dorrego, the oldest square in Buenos Aires after Plaza de Mayo, where on Sundays the famous open-air antique fair is held, attracting visitors from all over the world. San Telmo is also known for its bars, restaurants and tanguerías, which add a touch of passion and nostalgia to this neighborhood full of history and charm.
