Antonio Campana born in 1933 in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires province. He attended until 6th grade of the primary school and then he had to abandon his studies to work in the Storekeepers Center of the Federal Capital. In 1948 was received from typist in the Pitman Academies and years later he founded the first self-service wholesale grocery store in the country.
He got married, had three children and everything seemed to be going well.to the point that in the 70’s he decided to buy 208 hectares in the Buenos Aires party of The slaughtertown of Gonzalez Catan. But some time later they were expropriated by the CEAMSE (Ecological Belt Metropolitan Area Society of the State) who used them for more than five years to landfillleaving a sequel of environmental pollution.
Years later, Bell managed to recover the place – full of garbage – at an environmental and judicial level. Among other investments, he decided to plant 10,000 treesrestoring the ecological balancein order to have a place to share with your children and friends.
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But Anthony fulfilled 50 years and had a break in your life: They were diagnosed tonsil cancer. “The doctors gave him five years to live”he claimed Oscar Campana, one of the sons and current General Manager of the village. Faced with this discouraging panorama, Bell He decided to separate himself from the food company and fulfill his dream (with the savings he had): build a old Europe in Buenos Aireswhich would finally be Campanopolis.
Without being an architect and only making drawings, Anthony created little by little Campanopolis. For the labourhired local residents, who perhaps They had no trades or experience in masonry., but over time they got it. And for construction and decoration materials, although she bought some, most were demolition leftovers.
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From bricks, doors, windows, caireleshandles of all kinds (even wake drawers), bed parts, train station columns and stairs. Everything worked. It is worth mentioning that at that time the cities abandoned the 20th century architectures and, therefore, they discarded materials that for them were already “old”; but for Anthony -TRUE pioneer in recycling– were gold.
He took advantage of every leftover found and took it to Campanopolisthus creating -according to Oscar– a “large-scale work of art”: “Campanopolis is a magical placeborn from a man’s vision without architectural studiesbut with a postgraduate in imagination. It makes everyone who visits us travel in time and spaceand enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience”.
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After several years, Campanopolisalso called “Disney Argentinian”was finally formed by a group of constructions united by cobblestone streets, passages, nooks and secret placesbeing the only village in South America of diverse styles of european medieval and of eclectic architecture. For its part, Anthonywho fortunately lived more than five years (he died in 2008), got to see it and enjoy it.
In 2002the place was declared Touristic interest by Ministry of Tourism and SportsWhile in the 2006 was declared by the Chamber of Deputies of the Nation like Cultural Interest. Years later, in 2020received certification as Country Brandon the part of the Secretariat of Tourism Promotion of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Nation.
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Today, space is managed by Antonio’s childrenwho offer the possibility of visit the villagein addition to renting the place for record advertising campaigns, series, 15 year old videos, pre-wedding, baptism and more. From Argentine soap operas Almost Ángeles and Chiquititas even the mexican band Mannacountless cultural and musical successes passed through Campanopolis.
Anniversary of Campanópolis: news and how to take guided tours
This month, Campanopolis meets 35 years on the occasion of the memory of creator’s birthday. The magic remains intactto the point that there is no new work or construction, except for two attractions created within the framework of the anniversary:
- The Antonio Campana museum reopened. There visitors can find photos, books, documents and belongings of the park’s creator.
- Considering that the historian Alfonso Corsointerpreting the stories of the German Ulrich Schmidlassured that the lands belonged to Don Juan Manuel de Rosasthey settled two iron sculptures in the village: “Iluminado Rosas” and “The Embrace”made especially by the Argentine artist Alejandro Marmo.
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To live both experiences, you have to carry out a walkwhich consists of a 4-hour visitwith a guided tour approximately 1 hour 15 minuteswith experts who have the historythe constructionhe care of ecology and the environment of the village throughout its creation.
The rest of the time you can walk and enjoy freely. Visitors will be able to take advantage of take photos (for tourist purposes only), purchase souvenirs at the souvenir shop and perform picnicssince there is a market with a variety of sandwiches, hot dogs, empanadas, pizzas, wraps, cakes, among others. It is also allowed assist with food and drinks.
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It is worth mentioning that access to the village is only through Guided visits and entry to the park is with online ticket purchase, without exception. They can be purchased through the venue website and accept various payment methods.
The general admission costs $10,000while the older adults and the educational contingents they pay $7,000. The under two years and the people with a disability certificate they enter free (includes a companion, as long as the disability certificate includes accreditation of such requirement).
- The address of the place is Bariloche 7300, González Catan.
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Schedules of guided tours available in March
- Wednesday 27th from 1pm to 5pm.
- Thursday 28th from 1pm to 5pm.
- Friday the 29th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Saturday 30th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday 31st from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The anniversary coincides with the birth of Antonio. We are proud to celebrate with a new work from our beloved artist marmo -to whom I am extremely grateful- and with the reopening of a museum in tribute to my father“he concluded Oscar.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
