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  El Barrio (Spanish Harlem)
 
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Also known as East Harlem and Spanish Harlem, this neighborhood, sandwiched in the north eastern corner of Manhattan, has historically been home to immigrant communities. The construction of the elevated transit to Harlem in the 1880s urbanized the area, and led to an influx of German Irish, Italian, Lebanese and Russian Jewish immigrants. In East Harlem, Southern Italians and Sicilians predominated and the neighborhood became known as Italian Harlem, predating the better known Little Italy in southern Manhattan as the Italian American hub of the city. Puerto Rican immigration after the First World War established the first enclave of Latinos in Italian Harlem, and this small area became known as El Barrio. The area slowly grew to encompass all of Italian Harlem, as Italians moved out and Latinos moved in during another wave of Latino immigration after the Second World War.

With such an interesting history, it is definitely worthwhile visiting the neighborhood’s great cultural institution, El Museo Del Barrio, a museum dedicated to Latin American and Caribbean art and culture. Also worth visiting is the primary business hub of Spanish Harlem, which has historically been East 116th Street from 5th Avenue heading east to the FDR Drive.

In addition, there is a diverse collection of religious institutions in the area which reflect the neighborhoods interesting history: from mosques, a Greek Orthodox monastery, several Roman Catholic churches, and a traditional Russian Orthodox church. Of particular note is the huge New York Mosque at East 96th Street. Designed by the prestigious architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill and financed mainly by the Kuwaiti government, the mosque fills an entire city block in Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Finally, make sure to visit two of the neighborhood’s classic Italian restaurants, Rao’s at 455 East 114th Street and Patsy’s Pizzeria at 2287 First Avenue as well as some of the new Mexican tacquerias in the area. When done dining, enjoy the northern reaches of Central Park after taking a walk along Central Park South.
 
 
 

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  EL BARRIO (SPANISH HARLEM) ADDRESS  
  Address:   200 E 116th St
New York NY 10029
 
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  EL BARRIO (SPANISH HARLEM) MAP  
 
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