Quilmes

Ribera de Quilmes

Quilmes is an Argentine city located on the coast of the Río de la Plata, southeast of the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires; 19 km from its closest access to the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. It is the head of the party of the same name and one of the oldest cities in the province, having been founded in 1666. Its population places it in seventh place at the provincial level and eighteenth in the whole country.

Toponymy

In 1665, the Kilmes, an indigenous community in the present-day province of Tucumán, were deported by the Spanish. They arrived on the coast of the province of Buenos Aires in 1666 and formed the first town south of the Riachuelo: the Reduction of Santa Cruz de los Kilmes (Spanishized to Quilmes). Hence the name by which the city is known today..

History

During the second foundation of Buenos Aires, in 1580, Juan de Garay distributed the land among the 65 people who accompanied him. The territory where Quilmes is now located was given to Pedro Quirós. With the arrival of the Kilmes in 1666, the first population in the area was established. Over the following years, the non-indigenous population increased considerably.

By a decree of August 14, 1812, the First Triumvirate declared the Kilmes Reduction extinct. In the same decree, Quilmes was declared a free town. Therefore, the few indigenous people that remained came to be considered equal to the other citizens.

In the year 1818, the surveyor Francisco Mesura drew the first map of the city of Quilmes, which prevails to date with some variations.

The first elementary school was established in 1827 and a year later the first church was built. The railway arrived in 1872.

In view of the notorious progress of the city, in 1880 Quilmes was presented as a candidacy to be the future capital of the province of Buenos Aires. opted for the construction of a new city, the current capital La Plata.

Eight years later, the German Otto Bemberg founded the Brasserie Argentine Société Anonyme in Paris and chose the city of Quilmes to locate its facilities and begin production in 1890. Thus, Quilmes beer was born, which a little more than a century later it would bear the name of the city and town that gave rise to the rest of the world, thanks to exports to the United States and Europe.

On August 2, 1916, an important event took place, since the governor of the province of Buenos Aires, Marcelino Ugarte, through the promulgation of Law No. 3627, officially elevated the town of Quilmes to the category of city.

Foundation

Although ordinance No. 835, sanctioned on July 6, 1935, declared August 14, 1669 as the presumed date on which the Reduction was established, there was a rectification. On July 21, 1937, a new ordinance (No. 1023) was sanctioned by which it was established that the date on which the first population was formed was August 14, 1666. That is, then, the date official by which the anniversaries of the city are celebrated.

However, it is not about the exact date, since there are no certainties. By taking as a reference the different affirmations and documentation that are known, it was confirmed that the day of the declaration of Pueblo Libre (August 14) coincided approximately with them. That is why it was combined with the year of the arrival of the kilmes to obtain a commemorative date.

Geography

Location

The city is located on the coast of the Río de la Plata. About 2 km from it, a ravine raises it to 17 meters above sea level.

It occupies most of the district and limits to the northwest with the city of Bernal and the districts of Lanús and Avellaneda; to the southwest with the parties of Lomas de Zamora and Almirante Brown; to the southeast with the towns of Solano, Villa La Florida, Ezpeleta and with the party of Florencio Varela; and to the northeast, with the Río de la Plata.

Climate

It is of the temperate pampean type (Cfa, humid subtropical in the Köppen climatic classification), modified by urbanization, although in general the temperature is two to three degrees lower than in the City of Buenos Aires due to the mornings, although the maximums are similar. The average for the month of January is 25 °C and that of July is 11 °C. In summer temperatures can climb to 35 °C and in winter they can drop to 0 °C. Humidity is usually high, so it can feel hotter or colder than the actual temperature. Rainfall is about 1061 mm per year.

Average climate parameters of Quilmes (2008-2023)
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	39.9	38.3	38.5	32.2	27.9	24.7	25.6	30.3	31.5	34.8	36.5	38.4	39.9
Average temperature (°C)	30.4	29.2	26.4	22.7	18.8	16.0	15.7	18.1	19.5	22.4	26.2	28.4	22.8
Average temperature (°C)	25.1	24.2	21.6	18.3	15.0	11.9	11.5	13.2	15.2	17.5	21.1	23.8	18.2
Temp. medium (°C)	19.8	18.9	16.7	13.8	11.3	8.0	7.9	9.1	11.8	12.8	15.9	17.9	13.6
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	11.9	8.7	7.7	4.4	1.2	-0.5	-1.0	0.1	2.0	3.6	6.7	8.7	-1.0
Total precipitation (mm)	86.2	130.4	84.1	86.8	79.2	53.6	83.3	65.4	79.2	115.0	103.6	94.2	1061
Hours of sun	393	294	310	300	294	270	256	302	300	349	345	372	3785.9
Relative humidity (%)	68.0	74.6	76.9	77.8	84.2	80.6	82.4	80.2	77.8	76.5	71.4	68.3	76.6
Source No. 1: Quilmes Meteorological Station - 2008-2015
Source No. 2: Faculty of Agronomy (University of Buenos Aires) - Hours of Sol - Year 2008

Seismicity

The region responds to the «subfault of the Paraná river», and to the «subfault of the Río de la Plata», with extremely low seismicity; and its expression occurred on June 5, 1888 (134 years old), at 3:20 UTC-3, with a magnitude of 5.5 on the Richter scale.

On November 30, 2018, a new earthquake occurred with a magnitude of 3.8 on the Richter scale at 10:27 UTC-3.

Demographics

Population

In the last census (INDEC, 2010) the total population of the party was 582,943 inhabitants (281,928 men and 301,015 women). Unlike the previous census, this one does not show the population of each locality individually, so there is no current data for the city.

According to the results of the 2001 Census, the town of Quilmes had 230,810 inhabitants, distributed 111,575 in Quilmes Este and 119,235 in Quilmes Oeste (48% and 52%). This population makes up 45% of the total party, of which it is the most populated city.

• Population density: 4,089.9 hectares/km2
• No rural areas
• Illiteracy is less than 2.5%, the population with basic needs unsatisfied reached 21% and infant mortality to 17.7%

Government

The government system of Quilmes is headed by a municipal mayor elected by the residents and who governs for a period of four years.

Main municipal offices observed:

The areas of government of the intendancy are:

-Head of Cabinet area responsible for assisting the Mayor in the general coordination of municipal management. It promotes the articulation of the different Municipal Secretariats, aligning the policies and initiatives and verifying their integral coherence with a view to consolidating a modern, inclusive and sustainable municipal government.

-Secretary of the Treasury is in charge of the financial, economic, accounting and budgetary policy of the municipality.

Among other powers, it carries out the administration of the physical and financial resources of the municipal State, the design of the collection strategy, the coordination of activities related to purchases and contracts, and compliance with the requirements of provincial agencies. and nationals in the mate

-Legal and Technical Secretary assumes the representation and defense of the municipality of Quilmes in the different judicial instances and extrajudicial actions in which it is a part, advising and ruling on legal consultations that are formulated.

In addition, it intervenes in the analysis and legal advice of legal procedures, regulatory projects, administrative acts, agreements and matters that are the responsibility of the municipal executive, guaranteeing the legality and respect for constitutional norms of all government acts..and.

-Secretary of Health is responsible for the implementation of a health model that promotes coverage and universal access to quality care services.

To this end, it promotes the implementation of a comprehensive plan that includes health promotion, disease prevention, organization of care based on population needs, strengthening of teams, improvement of building conditions and the generation of networks with other Municipalities, Province and Nation.

-Secretary of Children and Social Development carries out policies to strengthen income, increase coverage and social investment, guaranteeing the access of the entire community to social rights, with special attention in the population that is in a situation of greater vulnerability: children, the unemployed, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Likewise, it is in charge of implementing programs, projects, actions and services that promote the rights of children and adolescents, generating spaces for attention, accompaniment and institutional linkage.

-Secretary of Human Rights has as its primary objective to promote the effective observance of human rights, through the prevention, promotion and protection of the same and the generation of open, participatory, inclusive spaces and plurals.

This area also intervenes in legal assistance to low-income residents of the district and in the development of alternative conflict resolution mechanisms, safeguarding the guarantees and rights of citizens.

-Secretary for Women and Diversities formulates and executes public policies to promote the rights of women and diversities and carries out programs for the prevention of gender violence, producing statistical information regarding attention to women, trans* and transvestites in situations of violence.

This Secretariat promotes the strengthening of spaces for participation, provides technical and professional assistance, and monitors compliance with municipal ordinances, agreements, provincial and national laws, and other legal instruments related to gender issues.

-Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports is the area responsible for formulating and executing policies and programs aimed at guaranteeing access to quality education, the democratization of culture and the promotion and diffusion of sport in all its areas, developing active inclusion policies for the entire Quilmes community.

-Secretary of Urban Development and Public Works is in charge of the planning, execution and control of policies aimed at generating a better socio-spatial integration of the district, intervening in order to solve urban problems environmental, with adherence and active participation by the community.

This secretariat seeks to provide the necessary infrastructure and services so that Quilmeños can carry out their activities in a full, orderly and safe manner, for which it participates and/or advises on the execution of public works. In addition, it grants the approval and carries out the registration of all the works and new or remodeled facilities of the party.

-Secretary of Public Services carries out policies that improve the provision of essential public services for the life of the Quilmes community, intervening in the control of those that fall within its competence and planning the works for the recovery of public space and maintenance of urban hygiene.

Likewise, it participates in the analysis, diagnosis, development and implementation of the necessary instruments for compliance with the current Planning Codes.

-Secretary of Sustainable Economic Development promotes local economic development within a framework of full care for the environment.

Starting from a comprehensive diagnosis of the economic structure of the district, it promotes the generation of policies that promote production, industrialization, the expansion of investment, exports and formal employment in the district, encouraging associativism and articulation with the academic sector. In addition, it works to simplify and expedite administrative and legal procedures in its area of competence.

-Secretary of Security and Urban Planning is in charge of developing public and citizen security and civil defense policies with the aim of providing comprehensive protection to citizens, in compliance with regulations current legislation and signed agreements.

Likewise, it participates in the procedure for issuing driver's licenses, and executes and supervises the actions aimed at responding to emergencies that occur in the territorial scope of the municipality.

-Secretary of Communication and Institutional Relations is in charge of information policies and dissemination of government acts and services to the community of the municipal executive.

Likewise, it is responsible for promoting the strengthening of spaces for participation and social organization, promoting dialogue between residents and organizations from the public, private and civil society sectors with the municipal government, as well as developing a strategy of internationalization that allows to strengthen the regional and global insertion of Quilmes.

-Investigation and Control Agency is responsible for promoting and ensuring the legality and safety of the economic and social activities of the district, through its control within the framework of current legislation.

With this objective, it is in charge of the authorization and supervision of businesses and industries and the design and implementation of control policies for community activities and on public roads of the party. (Data from the Municipality of Quilmes official page)

-Secretariat for Integral Management of Urban Solid Waste carries out the planning and administration of the solid waste collection system generated in the district. Its main axes of its functions are environmental sustainability and the reduction of the amount of waste generated and disposed of.

Economy

Plant of Cervecería and Maltería Quilmes.

Industry

It is the main source of income for the city. Currently there is a notable number of industries, the most important being the Quilmes Brewery and Malting, of national and international relevance. Other local factories are Cattorini Hnos. (glass), Sempere S.A. (from the air conditioning area), Fox (sports equipment), Esferomatic (valves), Algomec S.R.L. (forged accessories for high-pressure pipes), Plásticos Romano (industrial packaging), Prensadora Quilmes (metallurgical), Quilmes Ceramics (bricks), Capitán del Espacio (alfajores), Gramma Plásticos (pharmaceutical packaging), Ammaturo S.A. (Engineering and Transport and Automation Systems)

Among the international companies we find the American companies Sealed Air (packaging systems), Grace (chemical products for construction), Visteon (auto parts manufacturer; closed in 2014), among others.

Laboratories

There are also some industrial laboratories, such as the local Drawer (hospital medicines) and the Danish Chr. Hansen (food industry).

Infrastructures

Health

Hospitals

The municipality has three hospitals:

• Hospital Sub-Zonal Materno Infantil Dr. Eduardo Oller (San Francisco Solano)

• Hospital Zonal General de Agudos Dr. Isidoro Iriarte (Quilmes East)

• Integral Center for Health, Diagnosis and Rehabilitation Julio Méndez (Bernal)

Health rooms:

They are divided into:

-Immediate Resolution Centers

• They have radiology, laboratory and external consulting. They are the first baseline of the CAPS (Primary Health Care Centers).
• Care Centre Model Don Bosco (without placement)
• Municipal Institute of Preventive Medicine Dr. Ramón Carrillo - Municipal Dispensary

-Primary Health Care Centers (CAPS)-Health Units - They are the effectors in charge of resolving the spontaneous demand of the population in their area of influence and of executing the Promotion and Prevention programs Of the health.

• 2 Avenues
• 2 April
• 25 May
• 8 October I
• 8 October II
• Alicia
• Antarctica Argentina
• B. Houssay
• West Bern
• C.I.C. La Paz
• Cañada Gaete
• C.I.C. Santo Domingo
• D. Paroissiend
• Dr. A. Illia
• Dr. R. Favaloro
• Dreymar
• The Hornero
• Progress
• Elijah Tanus
• Elustondo
• Eva Perón
• Gral. Belgrano
• Falkland Islands
• Isidoro Iriarte
• Florida
• La Matera
• La Paz
• The Spring
• La Ribera
• The Sarita
• La Vera
• The Eucaliptus
• The Fresnos
• Maria Eva
• Monteverde
• San Martin
• V. Augusta
• V. del Carmen
• V. Luján
• Villa Alcira
• Villa Azul
• Villa Itatí II

Sanatorium Model Quilmes, next to the central administration building of Apres, medical coverage company.

Vaccination centers:

The municipality does not have Vaccination Centers with this sole function, all the health centers mentioned above, including Hospitals, have Vaccination Centers.

Private Clinics and Sanatoriums

Sanatorium of the Trinity Quilmes.

The Municipality has 32 privately managed clinics and sanatoriums (social works and prepaid works), among the best known are the Trinidad Quilmes Sanatorium, Quilmes Model Clinic, Children's Clinic, Calchaquí Clinic, Belgrano Clinic and Urquiza Sanatorium. Also in the city there are two renowned ophthalmological clinics, such as the Quilmes Eye Clinic and the Santa Lucía Eye Clinic, and some 60 pharmacies. (data from the Municipality of Quilmes official website).

Transportation

Unit line 257Pasco.

Local taxi in front of the Roca railway station.

Ground transportation

Collectives: This is the most widely used means of public transport. There are at least 18 bus lines that circulate through the city and not only cross all the points of the party but also extend to the neighboring parties. Eight of these lines reach the City of Buenos Aires. The oldest is line 22, which began with the tram service in 1905, connecting Quilmes with the Retiro neighborhood of Buenos Aires.

Remises: Remises are the second most used means of public transportation to move within the city and surrounding areas. Generally they do not carry any identification that distinguishes them from a common car, but it is not uncommon to see a sticker on one of their windows with the logo or the name of the company. They can be taken directly at any of the agencies or request the service by telephone. The main remittance stores have modern vehicles in excellent condition and their drivers wear formal attire.

Taxis: Unlike in major cities, taxis are not a widespread means of transportation outside of them. To take a taxi in the city of Quilmes, you have to go to one of the four stops, one of them located in front of the station, another in front of the Coto-Showcase Cinemas complex, the third in front of the Sanatorio Modelo Quilmes and the last one in front of the bus station. They are identified by the silver color (sometimes grey) and, although less frequent lately, a white box on the front doors, with the legend "Taxi" and some unit data.

Rock Line Training, passing through Quilmes Station.

Railway: The train service corresponds to the Roca Line and links the city of Quilmes with the two capitals, Buenos Aires and La Plata, passing through the Quilmeño towns of Don Bosco, Bernal and ezpeleta. As of February 15, 2016, the CSR electric formations began to operate, replacing the diesel ones.

Access routes

• Autopista Buenos Aires-La Plata.
• Pueyrredón-Avenida Mitre-Avenida Belgrano-Triangle of Bernal: continue by Dardo Rocha or Avenida los Quilmes.
• Puente Nicolás Avellaneda-Acceso Sudeste-Autopista Buenos Aires-La Plata (Quilmes Centro) or continue for Southeast Access (Don Bosco-Bernal-Quilmes Oeste).
• Bus stop long distance on Avenida 12 de Octubre and Avenida Calchaquí.
• Combi Charter Service hired from and to Capital Federal.

Fluvial transport

The port that will link the city with Buenos Aires is under construction, by means of small boats, as well as to carry out tourist tours.

Education

Basic and Intermediate

The city's educational system has 158 establishments, of which 76 are public and 82 are private. There are four categories: Basic Elementary School (E.P.B.), Basic Secondary School (E.S.B.), Middle School (E.E.M.) and Technical Education School (E.E.T.). Their distribution between public and private is as follows:

A large number of these schools have over 100 years of history, with the oldest public school being No. 1, from 1863. The most prominent at the state level are Normal (1912) and Nacional (1922). Among the technical colleges, the E.E.S.T. No. 7 "Quilmes Regional Workshop" IMPA.

Among the private establishments, the exclusive St. George's College (1898) stands out, from which some students of some relevance in the United Kingdom emerged, such as Sir Robert Malpas and Sir Alasdair Neil Primrose, 4th Baronet. The Swiss writer and adventurer Aimé Félix Tschiffely was a teacher there. Other traditional private schools are the Quilmes High School (1907), the San José School (1904), the Eduardo L. Holmberg German School (1898), the Inmaculada Concepción Institute (1895) and the San Alfonso Institute.

Higher Education

Since the National University of Quilmes and the Catholic University of La Plata are located in the town of Bernal, the most important higher education establishment in the city is the Municipal School of Fine Arts "Carlos Morel&# 3. 4; (EMBA). It was created in 1944 and offers a large number of artistic careers in the areas of Theatre, Music, Folkloric Dances and Visual Arts.

Within tertiary education, we find five institutes with Catholic-oriented careers, such as Inmaculada Concepción and several higher schools, such as Normal. We also find the Teacher and Technical Training Institute n°83 Located at 844 street n°2270

Architecture and urbanism

San José Obrero Chapel (1966), work by Alejandro Bustillo.

The first plan of the city was drawn up in 1818 by the surveyor Francisco Mesura. The base is the one that still prevails today, with the logical modifications that time brought.

Throughout the city you can see the only works left by the renowned architects Alejandro Virasoro (together with his son Carlos, an engineer), Mario Roberto Álvarez, Alejandro Bustillo, Clorindo Testa (who carried out the remodeling of the Isidoro Iriarte Hospital) and Englishman Paul Bell Chambers.

Housing and European influence

Towards the end of the XIX century, the popularity of Quilmes as a seaside resort brought with it the appearance of numerous summer mansions, with large gardens and other amenities. At that time, chorizo-type houses abounded. Until the first decades of the XX century, in addition to chorizo houses, there large number of chalets, many of which survive today. Both types of houses were presented in very different styles, mainly Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic, Neo-Tudor and Italianate.

Quilmes station.

In 1910 and 1912 the two greatest exponents of architecture of the time were built in the city: first, the neoclassical building of the school No. 1 "Bernardino Rivadavia" and then the second Municipal Palace, academic style. Previously, in 1908, the current railway station building was inaugurated. This is another important architectural example, designed by Paul Bell Chambers, who was the author of other remarkable buildings in Buenos Aires, such as the Estación Constitución, the Railway Building and the Boston Bank.

In 1920, the German Otto Bemberg, founder of the Quilmes Brewery, designed the picturesque neighborhood called Villa Argentina, for the workers of the aforementioned beverage factory, which would open three years later. All its houses, with similar characteristics, respond to the style known as English colonial. Bustillo was in charge of designing the small chapel that is located there. On August 13, 2012, the neighborhood was declared Quilmes Historical Heritage.

High-rise construction

The first buildings

The construction of the brewery in 1890 ushered in the first high-rise (industrial) buildings. But it was not until 1943 that the first residential building with more than five floors and an elevator appeared. The Hotel Astrid (today the Poland Hotel), with a rationalist style with some streamline, was at the time an icon of Quilmeño, with seven floors and just over 30 meters high. From its terrace the whole city could be observed.

Starting in the 1950s, other taller buildings began to be seen, until reaching the Banco Avellaneda Building, with 18 floors and nearly 60 meters high, a 1958 work by the architect Mario Roberto Álvarez.

Later we can mention the Municipality tower (1962), the Cristóbal Colón Tower (1974), the twin towers Plaza I and II (1979/80), the Videla II tower (1986) and the Miter Building (1997), all close to 70 meters, currently being the highest in the city and the party.

View of the corner opposite the main square, synthesis of the advance of modern buildings in the old neighborhoods of the center.

The Colón Palace Tower, located in the northern part of the city.

The Real Estate Boom

In the 1970s, construction reached one of its highest peaks. By the end of that decade, the city already had more than 60 buildings. The 1980s and 1990s were even with each other, but clearly inferior to previous years.

The boom itself began in the mid-2000s, surpassing that of the 70s, and was strengthened from 2010. Currently, there are more than 500 buildings in this town alone, of which half exceed 35 meters high.

However, some questions have arisen from residents and neighborhood groups. Despite the fact that the construction of buildings began several decades ago, the city maintained the profile of a quiet neighborhood with low houses outside the center. With the boom of the last two decades, the buildings have multiplied and, instead of growing upwards in the downtown area or in pre-established places, they have been expanding horizontally towards the neighborhoods. As there was not enough infrastructure to support so many people in so little space, basic services collapsed. But the most serious problem is the indiscriminate demolition of the architectural heritage that gave the city its identity, something that could be solved by protecting these constructions and freeing up the height in certain areas, to promote vertical growth in a more concentrated area, instead of horizontal, invading unsuitable areas.

Exhibition tram, in the five-year corner of Brandzen and Mitre (2010).

Pejerrey Club Fishing.

Tourism

With the arrival of the railway, in 1872, and the tram that connected the station with La Ribera, a year later, the coast of Quilmes became a traditional destination for visitors to the city of Buenos Aires and its surroundings.

In 1911 work began on the construction of what was the first spa in the Argentine Republic.

By the year 1915, the boulevard and the spa facilities were added. The city would finish consolidating itself as a tourist place with the construction of swimming pools and the foundation of the Pejerrey Club.

During all those years, Quilmes was a summer resort frequented by Buenos Aires high society. It was the destination of all those who, for various reasons, could not go to other spas further away.

Currently, the advance of precarious settlements and the decades of abandonment as a consequence of the increasing contamination of the river have left behind that period of splendor. Despite this, thousands of people from the southern zone of Greater Buenos Aires visit the waterfront daily, which has a varied gastronomic offer.

On the other hand, work has begun for the construction of the port, which will link Quilmes with Buenos Aires by waterway.

Places of Interest

The city has emblematic and interesting places for eventual visitors.

Monument to San Martín, in the homonymous square.

San Martin Square

It is the main one in the district and was already in the foreground drawn up in 1818, by the surveyor Francisco Mesura. In it stands out the monument to General José de San Martín, inaugurated in 1965.

The Historic Apple

It is located in front of the aforementioned square. It is made up of the old Municipal Palace (current House of Culture), the Cathedral, school No. 1 and the Public Library. They are part of the Historical Heritage of the city.

Cervecería Park and Villa Argentina neighborhood

Otto Bemberg designed this large recreational park next to the neighborhood for his factory workers. The huge property has sports facilities, a restaurant and an astonishing variety of trees and plants, both native and foreign.

The neighborhood is characterized by its completely tree-lined streets and its old chalets with two or three floors, all painted in shades of beige or cream. Thanks to its particular characteristics, it was chosen as the main setting for the miniseries Signos, starring Julio Chávez and broadcast on Channel 13 and TNT.

Typical wooded street in the Villa Argentina neighborhood.

Fortin Quilmes Traditionalist Center

It was founded on August 9, 1977 with the fundamental objective of maintaining and spreading the tradition of the jineteadas, the ring bullfights, the Duck (national sport), the ñandú boleada, the parades and the conferences. It has an important dance troupe that performs folk dances.

Quilmes Cycling Club

It has a cycling track where different events are held. It is located 4 blocks from the Quilmes Spa.

Spa

It is located on the banks of the Río de la Plata. There are two historical institutions, founded during the tourist boom in the area; the Pejerrey club and the Quilmes Yacht Club.

Transport of Benzeno, similar to the fissured polyduct.

Pollution on the banks of Quilmes: Fissure in the YPF pipeline

In 1988 there was a fissure in the YPF oil company pipeline at the intersection of Otamendi and Lafallete streets in the city of Quilmes. These pipes are located approximately 3 meters deep and transport hydrocarbons and fuel from the YPF refinery in the port of Dock Sud, Avellaneda, to the distillery in Ensenada, La Plata.

Possible causes of the crack

The causes of the fissure in that pipe were never known, since the company assured that it had been perforated to steal fuel, but some neighbors stated that it had cracked because it was a very old and worn pipe.

Neglect of the company and growth of the napas

The Repsol-YPF company did not carry out adequate repair and sanitation work in the area and in 2002 the underground water tables rose, leaving a 40,000 cubic meter stain of water mixed with hydrocarbons on the land. close to the cycling club.

Community Complaint

In 2002, a group of neighbors began to organize a claim against the company and the government of the municipality of Quilmes because they began to manifest symptoms of diseases. Due to living with these materials, there were cases of cancer, malformations, tumors, and skin and respiratory diseases, rashes, vomiting, constant headaches, and skin sores. In 2008, the group of neighbors asked the Department of Toxicology and Legal Chemistry of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry of the National University of La Plata for collaboration to study the situation of people and discovered that the sectioned urine samples had a large presence of the chemical element benzene, highly carcinogenic, which is very present in some fuels. Although the company did not assume responsibility for these illnesses by stating that they are due to the marginalized life situation of the inhabitants, their appearance occurs at the same time that the fuel spill occurs. Given the claim of the neighbors, a judicial process begins to establish responsibilities for this event.

Last crack in the pipeline

In 2017, through complaints from residents of the area, it was learned that the polyduct that transports hydrocarbons had cracked again.

Quilmes Yacht Club

It was founded on April 2, 1921. It has an access channel approximately 600 meters long by 100 wide and two stone breakwaters. It is suitable for sports navigation and different types of courses are offered. It has pools and barbecue areas available to the public.

City Park "Father Bishop Jorge Novak"

It occupies an area of approximately 100,000 m² and is bordered to the north by the Quilmes AC stadium. It has an amphitheater with capacity for 3,000 spectators, suitable for musical shows. The design of its internal paths, which form a spiral, draws attention.

Reinaldo Gorno Municipal Sports Center

It is located next to the Quilmes stadium (bordering it to the southeast) and offers free facilities for practicing different sports.

Rivadavia pedestrian street

It is the most important shopping street in the area and has a wide range of leading brands. It extends over six blocks and connects the station with the main square. The seventh block is not commercial, since it is the one made up of the Historic Block and the aforementioned square.

It was officially declared pedestrianized in 1977. Until 1995, it still had asphalt streets and sidewalks. But on August 26 of that year it was completely remodeled, definitively turning it into a pedestrian promenade.

Hotels

The city has three passenger hotels. The most important is the Ciudad de Quilmes Apart Hotel, which is aimed at a more exclusive audience and is mainly intended for accommodation of professionals and executives.

On the pedestrian street is the Poland Hotel, with its most popular profile. It is the most economical. It is housed in the 1943 building that was once the Hotel Astrid and earned the title of "the first building in the city".

Finally, the newest hotel and the first in Quilmes Oeste: the Civasa Hotel. It was inaugurated in 2014, after remodeling a well-known building in which the C.I.V.A.S.A. service station operated, which also had a dance hall on its top floor. It offers different types of additional services, (which ones?) for the comfort of its clients.

City of Quilmes Apart Hotel.

Civasa Hotel.

Poland Hotel.

Gastronomy

Quilmeña's gastronomic offer is very varied and includes Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican and even Middle Eastern food. There are two main gastronomic poles, one in the center and another in the north, but locals can found throughout the city. Within international cuisine, sushi houses (and Japanese food in general) are the most abundant, accounting for at least eight. However, Italian pastas are present on the menus of the vast majority of restaurants, so that country's cuisine is one of the predominant ones.

Among local food, grills are very common. There are around thirty of them and they mainly offer roasts. Another of the favorite and inflatable dishes in each establishment is the Milanese, but it fights for first place with pizza. There are more than 70 pizzerias in the city, many of which also prepare empanadas.

Coffee shops, bars and ice cream parlors

There are more than 40 cafeterias and bars, and at least 35 ice cream parlors. Among the café-bars, there are the traditional Jockey, Korner, Baltimore and Vía Veneto, and important chains such as Café Martínez, Starbucks, The Coffee Store, Havanna, Bonafide and Balcarce.

On the ice cream side, the artisan ones are more relevant, which usually produce Italian-type ice cream, such as Rialto, which began its history in Italy (with another name), and later moved to Quilmes, and the chain El Piave, which arrived in 1961. The most popular ice cream parlor is El Polo, from 1930.

In recent years, the Cordovan industrial ice cream chain Grido landed in the city and opened four branches, adding a cheaper alternative to the market.

Art and Culture

Celebrations and events

• Quilmes Day: on 14 August the anniversary of the city was celebrated, founded in 1666. Programming (which extends during the so-called "Quilmes Week") usually includes a military and traditionalist civic parade, a marathon, the election of the Queen of Quilmes and other artistic, musical and sporting events.

• The Night of Arts: is held from 2009 in the month of December, on the way from the House of Culture to the Roverano Museum, on Rivadavia Street. It consists of the exhibition of different artistic manifestations, converting the two blocks that occupies in an open-pit art gallery. It also includes live shows.

• Festival de la Cerveza Artesanal: takes place in the month of December in the Bank, since 2009. Live shows are performed with recognized bands and different types of events. Among the musical bands that have already participated are Virus, Catupecu Machu, Salta La Banca and Botafogo, as well as numerous local bands.

• Collective Fair: more than 140 stands offering gastronomy and crafts typical of different nationalities. Traditionally it is done in the Aristobulus Square of the Valley, although lately it moved to the Transport Museum.

• Feast of Saint Mauro Abbot: the Catholic Society San Mauro celebrates its anniversary and brotherhood between Quilmes and the Italian town of San Mauro Castelverde in March. For the celebrations of 2012, the city received the visit of the mayor of San Mauro, Giovanni Nicolosi.

Personalities of the city

A significant number of outstanding people in different fields were born, lived or currently live in Quilmes. Some left very young for new horizons, others arrived and settled at a more advanced age, but all of them represent a part of the history of this city. These are some of those people (or groups of them):

Plastic arts

One of the most representative and important artists of the city was, without a doubt, Aldo Severi, famous for his portraits of the life and popular landscapes of the country and, especially, of Quilmes. Despite being born in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of La Boca, he settled permanently at the age of eleven in this city, which served as a source of inspiration for his main works.

Another painter with great national and international recognition was Víctor Roverano, considered the best portraitist of Quilmes. Born in Barracas, he came to the city where he developed artistically at the age of 10. His works are exhibited in important national museums and in private art galleries in Europe and the United States. The Municipal Museum of Visual Arts bears his name.

But if we talk about the plastic arts, we cannot forget Carlos Morel, frequently called "the precursor of Argentine art," a title given to the book written by Agustín Matienzo, a descendant of the painter. He arrived in Quilmes at the age of 57 and lived in this city until his death 24 years later. His remains rest in the municipal cemetery, located in the town of Ezpeleta.

In the same way, a young and talented artist Marcela L. Ghilino stands out, with figurative paintings in oil and inks.

Muralists

The Municipality of Quilmes is one of the few that has a Muralism Department within its Organizational Chart. The current director is the renowned plastic artist and muralist Juan Bauk, who was born in Quilmes on November 16, 1950. His work as a muralist and cultural manager has earned him national and international recognition. He also works as a teacher at the Muralism Workshop of the Berazategui Ministry of Culture and as General Delegate of the Regional Movement of Muralists of Argentina.

Other well-known muralists include Gabriel Quipildor and Rubén Marcelo Minutoli.

Rodolfo Fogwill, artistically represented by Mondongo.

Literature

Among the most recognized writers are:

• Rodolfo Fogwill, winner of the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2003 and the Konex Award Merit Diploma in 2004. His texts stand out The Pichiciegos (1983) and Punch girl (1992).
• Washington Cucurto, poet, narrator and editor, whose work focuses on minorities and marginal ones.
• Adriana Ballesteros, specialized in linguistics and literature for children.

Music

Music is an important part of Quilmeño culture and many of the artists from this area have found success throughout the country and abroad.

Perhaps the most important musical group is Vox Dei. Among its founding members was Ricardo Soulé, who in 1974 left the band to start his career as a soloist, although he returned several times, the last being in 2013. Currently, one of the most popular bands in the country is Kapanga, that mixes different musical genres such as rock and roll, quartet, ska and reggae.

Other notable musicians are the composers Bebu Silvetti, Daniel Binelli, Julio Lacarra and María Becerra

Sports

Quilmes is represented in different sports, for example:

• Russian Mariné, former hockey player, multiple champion with Las Leones.
• Wonder Martinez, boxer, world champion.
• Elke Karsten, a player of the Argentine basketball team, chosen as the best athlete of Quilmes in 2015.

Others

Maureen Dunlop de Popp, born in Quilmes in 1920, participated in World War II as a pilot in the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom. She became a magazine cover in 1944 and was a flight instructor at Aerolíneas Argentinas.

Carage room in the Historical Museum of Transport (Quilmes).

Cultural facilities

Museums

• Municipal Museum Photographic by Quilmes "Gerónima Irma Giles y Gaete de Mayol": It preserves the photographic history of the party, with permanent and rotary samples that reflect the quilmeño cultural past. It gathers images of all spheres of society throughout the different eras, such as architecture, transport and customs. It was the first photo museum in the Argentine Republic, opened on July 5, 1986.

• Historical Museum of Transport "Carlos Hillner and Decoud": It was created on August 6, 1963, two years after the death of the philanthropist Carlos Hillner and Decoud, who had handed over his collection of carriages to the province of Buenos Aires. He passed to the five-year jurisdiction by decision of the province on 5 April 1978. The museum treasures 17th century carriagesXIXin addition to other historical cars, models of ships and small boats.

• Museum of Visual Arts "Victor Roverano": It was founded on October 30, 1944, originally for the exhibition of the works of the Municipal School of Fine Arts. Currently it has more than 400 works (including sculptures, engravings and drawings) ranging from the centuryXIX to the present. In addition to the exhibition of his own works, thematic, individual and collective samples of various artists are performed.

Theatres

Quilmes Municipal Theatre.

• Municipal Theatre: It has a room with capacity for 600 spectators (150 plates).
• Cervantes Theatre: room with capacity for 473 spectators (399 plates and 74 polish). It has a screen for projections.
• House of Culture
• Casa de Arte Doña Rosa: has a room for 120 spectators and coffee-concert. There are also art exhibitions.
• Sociedad Italiana Cristóforo Colombo: was created in 1878. It counted with a monumental theater-theater until 1969, when it was demolished and replaced by a tower of 21 floors. It currently occupies the first floors of that tower.
• Medical Circle of Quilmes: presents plays and film cycles.
• Centro Cultural Artenpié
• Quilmes Bar Association: has an auditorium suitable for theatrical presentations.
• Municipal School of Fine Arts
• Polar Theatre

Cinemas

• Hoyt's Quilmes Factory Complex
• Showcase Cinemas Quilmes

"Estadio de la Barranca Quilmeña" (Club Argentino de Quilmes).

Exterior view of the Centenary Stadium (Quilmes Atlético Club).

Sports

Football

The city of Quilmes is home to two professional teams: the Quilmes Atlético Club, which plays in the First B Nacional, and the Club Atlético Argentino de Quilmes, a participant in the Primera B Metropolitana.

The Quilmes Atlético Club has won three titles throughout its history, of which two belong to the First Division: the first in the amateur era, obtained in 1912 and the second in professionalism, in 1978. The third title was the Copa de Honor, from 1908, also in amateurism.

The most important achievement of the Argentine club of Quilmes was promotion to the First Division in 1938, winning the two finals against its classic rival. It has the honor of being the first club in the country founded by Argentines, on December 1, 1899.

Quilmes Hockey Stadium.

Hockey

The Quilmes Atlético Club also has a hockey team with male and female representation. The men won 16 national championships, while the women won 17.

Next to the Centenario de Quilmes stadium, is the National Hockey Stadium, where the men's and women's national teams play at home.

This venue hosted the 2007 Women's Field Hockey Champions Trophy and the 2012 Men's Field Hockey Champions Challenge.

Other sports

In rugby, currently the most important team is the Círculo Universitario de Quilmes, who plays the city's classic against Ateneo Don Bosco Rugby.

The Old Georgian Club, founded by former students of St George's College in Quilmes in 1908 and with its main headquarters in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Palermo, has its playing field at the Quilmeño school. This club participated in several professional tournaments in its beginnings and obtained three titles, which earned it recognition as "the best rugby academy in the country", in a publication of the newspaper La Prensa. But for various reasons he was forced to stop playing rugby in 1978. He resurfaced definitively in 2011 and participates as a guest in URBA tournaments.

In addition to Quilmes and Argentino de Quilmes, there are 33 other neighborhood clubs, with activities centered mainly on basketball and swimming.

Media

Spokes

Graphic media

Print edition:

• El Sol, founded by José Antonio Blanco on November 1, 1927. He gave the Sol de Oro awards to district and province personalities. Leaves daily
• South Perspective, founded in 1982 and since then led by the evangelical pastor Raúl Caballero. Leaves daily
• Diary 5 Days Directed by José Haro since he left South Perspective, where he was Secretary of Writing. It comes out every day.
• The Suburban was founded by Adrian Carlos Di Nucci on May 25, 2000. Weekly on paper and digital.

Digital Edition:

• The West Quilmes Look
• Quilmes a Diario Pedro Navarro
• Editorial Jorge Módica
• Quilmes Today (2015) Maximilian White
• CPB
• Centro Informativo Quilmes (2019) Alberto Moya

Sister cities

Quilmes has carried out various twinning agreements with different cities, regions and communities:

A Protocol of Intentions has also been signed in order to establish a relationship with the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Parishes of the Catholic Church in Quilmes