Nueva Pompeya

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Nueva Pompeya
Area 6.1 km²
Population 63,276
Density 10.137/km²
Comuna C4
Important sites

Puente Alsina
Nuevo Gasometro


Nueva Pompeya is a neighborhood, or barrio, in the southern part of Buenos Aires city. The Puente Alsina (Alsina bridge) connects the city with the Valentín Alsina neighborhood of greater Buenos Aires, in Buenos Aires Province.

Entrance to the Puente Alsina; view from Nueva Pompeya.
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Entrance to the Puente Alsina; view from Nueva Pompeya.

Pompeya and Valentín Alsina were among the most important places where tango music laid roots.

The neighborhood was settled by Italian workers from the later 19th to mid 20th century encouraged by industry. In recent years, many Bolivian immigrants have moved in. The urbanization of the neighborhood consists of small family houses with few high buildings.

Many residents are devoted to the "Lady of Rosario de Pompeya", a Roman Catholic Church, built in 1900. Thousands of pilgrims from around the country come each year to visit her image sculpted in ceramic with a golden foot. This is the main touristic site of the neighborhood, in addition to:

  • The 'Colony' is a compound of small houses, next to the Aeronautical Hospital. It was one of the first settlement of immigrants. It keeps the original architecture.
  • The Alsina Bridge, formally called Jose Felix Uriburu, connects the capital with Lanus, Lomas de Zamora, and Banfield.
  • The Rotary Club, built in the same colonial style of the Alsina Bridge, is the place for residents' meetings and members of the international organization.
  • The El Chino bar, founded in 1950 by artists and musicians, preserves the tango spirit of its founders. It is one of the best-known karaoke venues in Buenos Aires.
  • The Birds' Fair, open Sundays only, next to the Sáenz railway station, where a variety of domestic animals are sold at affordable prices.
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