Many of Buenos Aires’ most wealthy call Recoleta home.  Not all, of course, especially since in recent years property values in the newer, but perhaps less attractive neighborhood of Puerto Madero have eclipsed those in Recoleta.

In spite of its lush parks, classy museums and French architecture, Recoleta may be best known for Cementerio de la Recoleta.  This cemetery holds the remains of the city’s elite:  past presidents, military heroes, influential politicians and the merely rich and famous.  The cemetery contains 4,691 vaults.  It’s easy to lose track of time as you wander around marveling at the large, elaborate and beautifully designed as well as the small, simple and elegant vaults.

But perhaps the most celebrated occupant is Maria Evita Duarte de Perón.  Eva Perón was the second wife of former president Juan Perón.  A former actress, she was widely loved in Argentina for speaking out on labor rights and for championing the successful effort for women’s right to vote.  She died from cancer in 1952 at the age of 33.  Her body lies in the simple Duarte family vault in the Recoleta Cemetery and is the most visited location.

Another notable sight in Recoleta is the 20 meter high, 18 ton structure Floralis Generica.  It was donated to the city by it’s creator, the Argentinian architect Eduardo Catalano.  It is built of stainless steel and aluminum and uses a hydraulic system with photoelectric cells to open the petals in the morning and close them at night.

We have more photos from Recoleta here.