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Author: Robert

101. victorino de la plaza, update

Published by Robert on 23 January 2008

After a little research at the Instituto Histórico, I was able to discover that Victorino de la Plaza was indeed buried in Recoleta Cemetery. The vault undergoing restoration in the previous post belonged to the former President of Argentina, but evidently his family decided he would be more comfortable elsewhere. All traces of De la Plaza have been removed.

I find it odd—and a little sad—that such an important historical figure would be moved from the most pretigious cemetery in the nation. I’m sure the family has their reasons.

Anyway, the new occupants have already moved in… the family of José María Vila Penalta:

José María Vila Penalta, Recoleta Cemetery

Update (10 Dec 2012): Victorino de la Plaza had no children, but Rocco Reynal pointed me to an interview on YouTube with Dinorah de la Plaza, a great-grandniece. She states that it was difficult to maintain the family vault in Recoleta, so in 2004 they transferred Victorino’s remains along with those of his mother & first wife to the Cementerio Parque Memorial in Pilar. They considered a burial inside the Salta cathedral, but since most of the family has lived in Pilar since the 1970s they decided to keep him close. Mystery solved!

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099. avoid the crowds

Published by Robert on 21 January 2008

Crowds, Recoleta Cemetery

Since most people’s exposure to Eva Perón is limited to the Andrew Lloyd Weber version, tourists flock to her final resting place in Recoleta Cemetery. I can understand the fascination, but watch out for Saturdays during summer. Cruise ships often use Buenos Aires as the first or last port of call & usually dock or depart on the weekend. That means literally thousands of people are paraded past Eva’s family vault.

Excursions slack off after midday, & Eva finally gets a chance to rest in peace.

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098. deep down

Published by Robert on 20 January 2008

Since the purpose of family vaults was to house multiple generations, underground storage became a necessity. So how deep do vaults go? Several meters, sometimes with more space below than there is above.

If the mausoleum occupies a wide enough lot, there will be a staircase which leads down to lower levels of storage. Narrow lots may not have room for a staircase, but remove the metal grate & ladders accomplish the same goal. It makes for a tight fit in some cases:

Underground storage, Recoleta Cemetery

Underground storage, Recoleta Cemetery

Underground storage, Recoleta Cemetery

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097. sjq

Published by Robert on 19 January 2008

Sixto J. Quesada, Recoleta Cemetery

Founder of the Banco Popular Argentino in 1887, Sixto J. Quesada preferred cooperativism over corporation just as massive immigration to Argentina began. By definition, a co-op operates under a one person, one vote system while corporations give more authority to those who own more shares in the business. Quesada, along with a group of friends, created this new bank with the idea of promoting national growth on a more equalitarian basis than other models could offer.

Sixto J. Quesada, Recoleta Cemetery

A 1926 national law increased government intervention in cooperatives & many of them incorporated to stay in business. The Banco Popular Argentino switched sides & became a corporation too, managing to stay afloat until the 1980s. These days it’s nothing but a memory.

Sixto J. Quesada, Recoleta Cemetery

As a prominent banker, Quesada also wrote various books about the Argentine economy which are quoted from even today. In the 1901 publication “Historia de los Bancos” he writes about Argentina:

“The budget is in a state of constant deficit. There is no external or internal credit. So where do the resources to cover current expenditures come from? It is impossible to raise taxes for the moment, due to the current commercial & industrial situation. [Doing so] would be to precipitate its ruin.

The only recourse is to submit ourselves to living frugally, almost Franciscan, so that by economic means, previous obligations can be paid. The administration should take a moral stand so it can regain the credit which it lacks today.

Those who live off politics should rethink their actions–the very ones who praise themselves for serving the nation when they have only lived off of it & thus off of taxpayers as well. The sickness has reached a critical level, today the nation is anemic. They cannot continue sucking its blood but instead they should nurse it so the nation can survive & recover.

Illusions abound by those who think they can continue doing politics the old way & that the country can withstand anything. They have killed the goose that laid the golden egg & should resign themselves to work; the party is over. Work & honesty will be the only thing that will regenerate our country.”

Sixto J. Quesada, Recoleta Cemetery

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