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After a devastating earthquake in 1861, Mendoza was reconstructed on a grid, making it easy to explore on foot. Four small squares (Chile, San Martín, Italia, and España) radiate from the four corners of Plaza Independencia, the main square. Their Spanish tiles, exuberant fountains, shaded walkways, and myriad trees and flowers lend peace and beauty. Avenida San Martín, the town's major thoroughfare, runs north–south out into the southern departments and wine districts. Calle Sarmiento intersects San Martín at the tourist office and becomes a peatonal (pedestrian mall) with cafés, shops, offices, and bars. It crosses the Plaza Independencia, stops in front of the Park Hyatt, then continues on the other side of the hotel to a busy restaurant strip.
Mendoza has cultivated numerous home-grown artists, many inspired by the Andes and wine culture. You can appreciate works by many renowned, contemporary Argentine artists such as Antonio Berni and regional ones such as Osvaldo Chiavazza and Camila Insúa at this museum cellared under Plaza Independencia.
