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| Area | 17.4 km² |
| Population | 256,927 (1991) |
| Density | /km² |
| Important sites |
Hipódromo de Palermo, |
Palermo is a neighborhood, or barrio of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. It is located in the northeast of the city, bordering the barrios of Belgrano to the north, Almagro and Recoleta to the south, Villa Crespo and Colegiales to the west and the Río de la Plata river to the east. With a total area of 17.4 km², Palermo is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. As of the 1991 it had a population of 256,927 inhabitants .
The name of the district is derived from the still-existing Franciscan abbey of Saint Benedict of Palermo, an alternative name for Saint Benedict the Moor. Saint Benedict the Moor lived from 1526 to 1589 and is a complementary patron saint of Palermo in Sicily
In an alternative history of the name, a folk story supported by journalists, the land would have been originally purchased by an Italian immigrant named Juan Domingo Palermo in the late 16th century, shortly after the foundation of Buenos Aires in 1580.
Juan Manuel de Rosas built a country residence there which was confiscated after his fall in 1851.
The area grew rapidly during the last third of the 19th century and particularly during the presidency of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, responsible for the creation of the Buenos Aires Zoological Gardens and the Parque Tres de Febrero in 1874, and Plaza Italia and the Palermo Race Track in (1876), all on the grounds of what had been Rosas' pleasure villa.
During the 20th century, the Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens (1902), the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, the water purification building, several sport clubs, the Jardín japonés ("Japanese Garden") and the Galileo Galilei Planetarium were erected.
Although appearing as one big swath in the official map, Palermo can be subdivided into several contrasting and acutely individual parts, the most clearly delimited of which may be considered further de facto neighborhoods of Buenos Aires.
Palermo viejo (Old Palermo) is, as its name implies, the oldest part. Bounded by Avenida Santa Fe, Avenida Coronel Díaz, Avenida Córdoba and Carranza street, the neighborhood reflects an antique Spanish style in architecture, often "recycled" with modern elements.
Such well-known figures as Jorge Luis Borges and Che Guevara once lived in this ward.
Across Figueroa Alcorta Avenue, between San Martín de Tours and Tagle streets, Palermo Chico ("Small" or "Exclusive" Palermo), also known as the Barrio Parque, is the most fashionable part of Palermo. Strictly a residential area, many of the wealthy and famous own homes there. Once a quarter full of splendid mansions set in broad private parks, many luxury condominiums and appartment houses are now to be seen. The Buenos Aires Museum of Decorative Arts is located in Palermo Chico, in a dazzling old palatial home.
A newer designation, Palermo Hollywood has become the fashion and design district of Buenos Aires. Being close to or indistinguishable from Las Cañitas (a slum at the beginning of the 20th Century) Palermo's Hollywood is a less expensive - but still excellent - choice for fine dining. The atmosphere in most cafés and restaurants strives to be different, which makes this area of the city popular, especially with young people.
The Parque Tres de Febrero, popularly known as Bosques de Palermo ("Palermo Forests"), inspired by the bois de Boulogne in Paris and the Prater (or Vienna Meadow) in Vienna, is the largest green lung in the city of Buenos Aires. With its Rosedal ("Rose Garden"), Andalusian Courtyard, huge artificial lake and beautifully landscaped promenades, this is one of the loveliest spots in the Capital.