Allegorical Statue of La Plata
Even the cathedral, if completed, would be too grandiose. It was started years ago, but is at present in the unfinished state as is shown in the accompanying photograph. The money gave out, and to-day it stands on an important plaza, a hideous frame of cheap brick, bearing no similarity to the elegant place of worship it was intended to be. This tendency to start to erect a fine building, get it half up, and then neglect it, is characteristic of all countries where Spanish rule has once dominated. For instance, in the same way is the Matriz church in Chillán, Chile, the Oratory of Lopez in Asuncion, the church of the Encarnacion at Asuncion, a church in Posadas, one in San Luis, and the most striking example of all, the church of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. In the plaza in front of the unfinished cathedral are some marble statues, the best of which is that representing the great Argentine river system and named La Plata. It is an allegorical female figure with a horn of plenty from which are spilling fruit and vegetables, while beneath her are bundles of wheat.
Unfinished Cathedral, La Plata
The diocese of La Plata, which comprises the Province of Buenos Aires and the territory of the Pampa, is the richest in Argentina. It was created in 1896, and has as a bishop, Dr. Juan N. Terreno, who has held that office since 1900. This man is a great power in Argentine politics.
There are numerous large banks in La Plata, the largest of which is that of the Province of Buenos Aires. Regarding hotels, the best is the Sportsman with good restaurant. The restaurant of the Hotel Argentina is second class. The food is greasy and is sprinkled with flies which become ensnared in the meshes of the oil in which the ragoûts and filets literally float.
Outside of the Museum of Natural History which has an admirable collection of fishes, the zoölogical garden, the wonderful eucalyptus avenue, and a charming park, there is in La Plata nothing to interest the stranger.