Block of the Lights

Address: Perú 294 Piso 1 – Monserrat

The so-called “Manzana de las luces” (apple of the lights) is an archeological complex integrated by a number of old and historic city buildings, where a cultural center functions nowadays for art exhibitions, plays and conferences.
This place is always open to the public in order to assist them in their proposals and to visit historical places.
The Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires and the St. Ignacio church also integrate the “Manzana de las Luces” complex.
Its origin dates back to the year 1633 when it was only a land occupied by Jesuits. This was the place where “Compañía de Jesús” used to be located at and that left behind a number of important buildings to the country’s history. When the Jesuits were expelled in 1977, this buildings were the seat for educational institutions: the old seat of the University of Buenos Aires – Medicine Academy and the Physical Sciences department – the Legislative body and the National Congress.
The name “Manzana de las Luces” originated when the “El Argos” newspaper referred to it in that way, making allusions to the “enlightment” teachings of the educational institutions that had a seat there.
The complex has a number of subterranean galleries that were built during the XVIIIth century. These galleries where the connection to other limiting buildings that were very important to the country’s political live. It is said that the reason they were built was to defend the country against unsuspected attacks. As time went by, other functions developed there. When Lima was the capital of the Viceroyalty del Río de la Plata and the port of Buenos Aires hosted most of the commercial activity, it became the ideal refuge for smuggling.