Special Interests - Religious Tourism

Tourism roots and origins can be traced down to religion, pilgrimages, processions and patron saint festivities, which are the oldest manifestation of tourist activities.

The pilgrimages to the Basilica del Sagrado Corazón or the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Luján are quite multitudinous.

San Cayetano in the district of Liniers, San Pantaleón in Mataderos and La Medalla Milagrosa in Parque Chacabuco attract lots of devotees from different parts of the country. Spending Easter in Buenos Aires is a good occasion to make a visit to its splendid churches and basilicas ("the visit to seven churches").

Corpus Christi is one of the most important festivals during which the most magnificent monstrance in America, made by the jeweler Pallarols, is exposed. Such wonderful ostensory was used by Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli (who then became Pope Pius XII) during the International Eucharistic Congress in 1934. During this ceremony the Head of the Government of the City carries the Processional Banner.

Buenos Aires city's Patron Saint is San Martin de Tours (Martin of Tours), whose festivity is celebrated on November 11. Other minor patron saints are Santa Clara (Saint Claire) (August 12), Sabino (Sabinus) and Bonifacio (Boniface) (May 14).

The city took its name from the Virgin Santa Maria de los Buenos Aires (April 24).