Buenos Aires is notable for its street murals and wall graffiti art, but some of the finest ceramic art can be found in her subway, or subte (for subterráneo) stations. Begun in 1913, the system comprises 6 lines and 83 stations, and rides cost five pesos (62 cents USD).
While nearly all stations have art, two of the most compelling are the Diagonal Norte and General San Martin stations, both accessible from Line C (the Blue line).
Diagonal Norte features the landscapes of Spain, featuring azulejos and ceramic murals that detail scenes from Burgos, Madrid, Aranjuez, El Escorial, and Madrid on the South platform, and Avila, Toledo, Soria and Segovia on the North Platform. The drafts were made by Martín S. Noel and Manuel Escasany in 1934. The azulejos were designed by J. Ruis de Luna, from Talavera. From Diagonal Norte, you can also make a short underground walk to the 9 de Julio station featuring a mural, created by Alfredo Guido in 1936, depicting the industrialization of Buenos Aires.
The outstanding abstract mural in the San Martin station was designed by Felipe Noe in 2006.
The subte stations of Buenos Aires offer a feast for the eyes in terms of their murals, and art lovers will want to take a few extra moments to appreciate them prior to leaving the stations.
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