Those choosing Gonnet for its cultural attractions will find a clear point of reference at the República de los Niños. The site was conceived as a place for civic education for children and young people, with a playful, recreation-focused character. Its themes range from an international puppet collection to science outreach.
Culture and Science at the República de los Niños
The Museo Internacional del Muñeco is located in the Palacio de las Culturas at the República de los Niños. Its collection includes more than 2,500 dolls, figures, hand puppets and marionettes representing around 40 countries around the world. The variety of objects and their international scope give the museum a distinctive focus.
Mundo Nuevo’s venue for activities with the public is located at the República de los Niños, Camino Gral. Belgrano y 501, Manuel B. Gonnet, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mundo Nuevo offers multidisciplinary science outreach in physics, history, communication, sociology, biology, literature, music and theater. Its scope therefore extends beyond the natural sciences to include social sciences and the arts.
Sensorium complements these themes with an art-and-science experience accessible to people with visual impairments. It was presented as part of a university winter holiday program. If you are planning to visit Sensorium, check in advance whether it is currently on the program.
The history of the República de los Niños is also represented at a named site: the Jorge H. Lima Historical Archive is named after the man who carried out the project together with architect Alberto Cuenca. They also jointly oversaw the technical direction.
The different focuses are easy to distinguish: the Museo Internacional del Muñeco centers on collection objects and their countries of origin, Mundo Nuevo guides visitors through several disciplines, and the archive offers a connection to the project’s history. Choosing a theme first can help you explore Gonnet through its collections, science or history.
La Plata: Cityscape and Other Cultural Themes
In La Plata’s cityscape, the original plan links 20 squares of different layouts through eleven avenues running perpendicular to one another. This combination of squares and streets arranged at right angles gives the city plan a distinctive pattern.
La Plata Cathedral is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; admission is free. Check the opening hours again before your trip. The cathedral’s lookout point is about 70 meters high and offers panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Check the current visitor conditions before your visit.
A city walk through Paseo del Bosque takes in the lake, its landing and the boats; the planetarium is also part of the route through Paseo del Bosque. As boat operations may change, check in advance if you are planning to take a boat trip.
A guided tour of the Meridiano V neighborhood explores its railway history and heritage, as well as the neighborhood’s development into a cultural district. The starting point is the provincial railway station at the intersection of streets 17 and 71. The Museo Del Ladrillo in Ringuelet explores another subject: the social, cultural and technological heritage of brickmaking and its importance to the beginnings of La Plata.
Discover more destinations: Abasto, San Carlos.
Go to the main travel guide: La Plata.
