Rosario is the largest city in the province of Santa Fe and Argentina’s second largest city, together with Córdoba. It’s located on the center-east part of the country, south of the province of Santa Fe, only 306 km from Buenos Aires.
The city is at the shores of the Paraná river, one of the largest rivers in the world, with everything a big city has to offer, and at the same time, the absolute tranquility of the virgin islands in front of the city.
This radiant cosmopolitan city, located in an agricultural - livestock region, has an industrial, commercial and financial urban complex. The city keeps taking giant steps towards tourism and business due to its privileged location on the Paraná river banks.
The city offers excellent hotels, apart hotels, hostels, inns, casino, bars, pizza stores, resto - bars, restaurants, shoppings, malls, galleries, museums, theaters, movies, cultural centers, events & festivals, markets & crafts fair, parks, sports complexes, beaches and islands on the river banks.
Rosario has many land, aerial and rail connections. It has an international airport "Islas Malvinas" and a major port on the right banks of the Paraná river. The Port of Rosario is a key goods-shipping center of Argentina and the most important center of regional activity.
Rosario offers an interesting architectonic heritage of the 19th and 20th centuries with art decó, catalan modernism or art nouveau, rationalism, baroque, academism eclecticism and Neocolonial styles.
TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT
I. National Flag’s Memorial
Rosario is known as the "Cradle of the Argentine Flag" since it was the place where the Argentine flag was first hoisted. In 1957 a National Flag Memorial was inaugurated, the biggest monumental complex in the country and the only one in the world dedicated to a flag.
This monumental complex, built near the shore of the Paraná river, is the main symbol of Rosario and represents a ship sailing towards the sea. The monument has three parts:
a. Central Tower
The tower is 75 meters high and represents the bow. The tower houses Manuel Belgrano’s crypt in its base, the creator of the Argentine flag.
An elevator and stairs are available to shuttle you to the top of the tower where there is a viewpoint to appreciate the amazing view of the city and the Paraná river.
b. Triumphal Propylaeum
It is the altar where the Eternal flame called "the Votive flame" burns permanently in honour of those who have fought for the country. Below the Propylaeum there is an "Honour Room for the Flags of America". The entrance is free and there is an exhibition of flags, shields, flowers and national hymns of all the american countries and Spain.
c. Civic Patio
There is a civic staircase, similar to a greek stage, where thousands of people get together to celebrate the Flag Day in Argentina. This open-air stage is also a scenario for free musical shows that are carried out in the city.
II. The historic city center
The point of origin of the city is "Plaza 25 de Mayo" (May 25 Square) now surrounded by the Cathedral of Rosario "Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary", the Municipality "Palacio de los Leones" (the Lions Palace) seat of the Executive Branch of the government of Rosario, the Decorative Art Museum, the Central Post Office and an old building called "La Bola de Nieve" (the Snowball) both with an academism-eclecticism style.
Between the Cathedral and the Municipality is the "Pasaje Juramento" (Oath Passage) that leads to the Flag Memorial. At both sides of the Oath Passage there are carrara marble sculptures of Lola Mora. Cordoba street, the main avenue, with it’s famous pedestrian walk, begins in the Flag Memorial. What you can find are modern stores, clothings and souvenir shops as well as bars, and all sorts of stores for shopping.
III. ’Nuestra Señora del Rosario’ Cathedral (Our Lady of the Rosary)
The Cathedral is a magnificent temple dedicated to the Virgin of Rosario, the patron saint of Rosario. Rosario was born at the beginning of the 17th century and it does not have a clear foundation date. The city was named after the image of the Virgin of the Lady of the Rosary that was brought from Cádiz, Spain in 1773. It is placed at the basement of the cathedral in the chapel of the virgin. The Basilica is from the 19th century with a carrara marble altar originally from Italy.
VI. RIVER & ISLANDS
The magic islands in fron of the city, covered by lush vegetation, offers a unique spot in the world where you can explore hundreds of islands, lagoons and observe a great biodiversity of native plants and birds such as the black cormorant, crested duck, white-faced whistling-duck, river rooster, kingfisher, yellow-billed cardinal, among others.
Sailing or paddling in kayak as you do deeper into the jungle and the wonderful world of the islands and streams of the Paraná delta; camping in one of the islands and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the place, is no doubts whatsoever, an unforgettable experience.
V. Rosario-Victoria bridge
The Rosario - Victoria bridge, known as the bridge of the Mercosur (Common Market of the South) is a strategic link for the bi-oceanic corridor. The principal bridge is 608 meters long and it has a total area of 60 km and 47 km of embankment on the islands of the high delta of the Paraná.
This engineering work communicates the city of Rosario (province of Santa Fe) with the city of Victoria (province of Entre Ríos), connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific and favoring the goods exchange and the regional tourism of Santa Fe and Entre Ríos.
VI. Victoria City
Located in the province of Entre Ríos, the colonial city of Victoria is famous for its ironwork handicraft, the "Benedictines Monks Abbey" and the Casino. It’s slopes and hills offer panoramic sights of the city and there are plenty of bathing resorts on the banks of the Paraná River.
VII. BEACHES
The north area of the city is the summer resort of the "rosarinos", with public and private beaches, bars on the "Rambla Cataluña" boulevard to enjoy the river. The coast and "La Florida" resort, offers panoramic views of the Rosario-Victoria bridge and the city.
Costa Alta y Paseo del Caminante (Riverside walk)
This walk over the Paraná river bank, north of "La Florida" resort, has a 600 meters pedestrian walk and a pier for the launches, and it offers a panoramic view of the city, the islands and the river. The "Plaza Santos Dumont" square is a spectacular viewpoint to the river.
VIII. PARKS
There are many parks in the city to enjoy in the open-air, ride bicycles, roller blade, run, stroll, walk or merry-go-round, or simply drink "mate", Argentine national drink (a tea-like beverage consumed in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil).
Parque Independencia (Independence Park)
Located in the heart of the city, it’s the largest park in Rosario and has many statues, sculptures, monuments, gardens, amusement park for kids, and a lake with a fountain to ride small boats.
Every day, at sunset, there is a free show at the park around this fountain offering Ornamental Dancing Waters with colorful lights, portraying an unforgettable show by combining water, music and multicolor lights.
Inside the park there are museums, sports institutions such as the soccer team C.A. Newell´s Old Boys, Club Gimnasia y Esgrima, Club Atlético Provincial, Municipal Stadium and the racecourse.
Parque de España (Park of Spain)
The Spain Park Cultural Complex is set on the river banks of the Parana river offering a spectacular panoramic view of the river and the islands. It has a Cultural Complex, the Spain School, a theater, an amphitheater, and 5 tunnels of the ancient port, today used as expositions rooms. The park has a playground for kids, bars, restaurants and clubs in front of the river.
Parque Urquiza (Urquiza Park)
This park on the river banks offer incredible landscapes, cannons, amphitheater, planetary, restaurants, bars and the modern residential Martin neighborhood.
Parque de las Colectividades (Communities Park)
In front of the Flag’s Monument is the "Estación Fluvial" (Fluvial Station) from where boats and ships leave towards the islands. "La Fluvial" also has bars, restaurants and discos. On the ancient Port of Rosario land every November "The Communities Meeting and National Celebration" takes place.
Parque Alem (Alem Park)
Located on the neighborhood of "Arroyito", it’s set over the river with view to the islands. The land has a Swimming pool complex to enjoy in summer, kids playground, aquarium, a Municipal Camping and a jetty for fishers. The area also hosts the World Championship Club Rosario Central "Sorrento" power station.
IX. CULTURE
Rosario has an international artistic movement. Theaters, museums, exposition centers and festivals, are one of the many examples of the cultural environment that is breath on the streets of Rosario.
Rosario’s nightlife is famous for the countless bars, restaurants with a fabulous gastronomic offer, cafeterias, discos that you will find open every day of the week till early hours in the morning, and the beautiful women that are considered the most pretty from Argentina.
At night you can listen to jazz, tango, folklore and rock in bares, folk clubs and pubs.
Tango: There are many shows to enjoy in thematic bars, and tango lessons for all levels both in open-air and closed areas.
Museums: Municipal Museum of Fine Arts “Juan B. Castagnino”, Historical Provincial Museum, Contemporary Arts Museum (Macro) in the ancient Davis Silos, Decorative Art Museum, Memory Museum, City Museum, Art at sight, Estévez Museum, Science Experimental Museum.
Theaters: "La Comedia" and "El Círculo" with it’s stunning architecture and excellent acoustics that places it among the greatest theaters in the world.
Soccer: Rosario is proud of its soccer clubs and talented players that succeeds in the best soccer teams in the world. Attending a "classic" soccer game between Newell’s Old Boys and Rosario Central is a show worth seeing.
Famous people: many Argentine famous people are from Rosario such as Fito Páez, Juan Carlos Baglietto, Antonio Berni, José Cura, Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Roberto Fontanarrosa, Alberto Olmedo, Lito Nebbia, Valeria Mazza, Marcelo Bielsa and Lionel Messi.
