5 Building You Must Visit In Argentina

Buenos Aires, with its diversity of European-style architecture, has long been called ‘the Paris of South America’. It was a phrase thought up in the 1930s by a real estate marketing guru. The label still is in wide use today – even though the stately architecture is disappearing. Everyone who visits Buenos Aires has a favorite building or two, they just have to be searched out. ‘The Paris of South America’ still exists, it’s just harder to find these days. Here’s where to start looking.

* National Congress

The place of Argentina’s parliament, the National Congress building, is situated at the end of Avenida de Mayo. Casa Rosada, the Presidential offices, are on the opposite end of the same avenue. The initial plans were sketched by Italian Architect Vittorio Meano and finished by Argentina’s architect Julio Dormal. Construction started in 1898 and was still only partially finished in 1906 when President Jose Figuero Alcorta inaugurated it. Tourists, as well as the general public, can get a guided tour around National Congress every weekday except Thursdays. The tour shows visitors the Chamber of Deputies, and the library noted for its walnut wood, hand-carved panels.

* Palacio Barolo

Used as offices by Argentina’s textile tycoon Luis Barolo, Palacio was the highest structure in South America until 1935. Barolo invited Mario Palanti to design the office tower in 1910, as he believed that Europe would cease to survive due to various wars going on. Palanti, a fan of Dante Alighieri, designed the building based on Dante’s work The Divine Comedy. The basement and ground floor represent Hell, while the first-to-15th storys stand for Purgatory, and the 16th through to the 22nd floors represent heaven. Both English and Spanish tours are provided and show how Dante’s work is factored into the building’s design. Today, Palacio Barola houses legal offices and was listed as a national historic monument in 1997.

* La Manzana de Las Luces

Also known as ‘The Block of Illumination’, La Manzana de Las Luces is located where an earlier Jesuit Church stood, and was the cerebral center of Buenos Aires during the 1600s and 1700s. San Ignacio church was built by the Jesuits on land conferred to them in 1616, and it is the earliest sanctuary in the city. The Jesuits were evicted in 1767 when the Spanish Crown viewed them as a threat. Eventually, Buenos Aires’ initial medical school was here, as well as the offices of the University of Buenos Aires. Historically, La Manzana de Las Luces was the center of political activism, and many students worked for Argentina’s independence. Tours are available on the weekends, and the highlight is a visit to the network of underground tunnels built by the Jesuits which connects the building to all major parts of the city. Remember, Spain viewed the mild, priestly order as a threat.

* Cabildo

The building that contains the National Museum of the Cabildo and the May Revolution was once a home of the Spanish Viceroy. After a series of false starts spanning more than 150 years, construction was finally complete in 1764. The building was used as the city hall after Argentina proclaimed its independence from Spain. The Cabildo is one of the few colonial-era buildings still standing. However, the original columns and façades were removed to make room for two major avenidas. Exhibits in the museum include artifacts, weapons, documents, jewelry and more from the 1700s. A water well built in 1835 is an original feature of the building.

* Casa Rosada

The Casa Rosada – or ‘Pink House’ – is across Plaza de Mayo from Cabildo. The old Customs House building now houses the offices of Argentina’s President. The Casa Rosada Museum includes an eclectic variety of exhibits which were owned by various Argentine leaders. Designed in 1957 to display presidential memorabilia, the collection includes remnants of the original fort that stood on the current site, as well as the Customs House. Also on display are books, furniture, swords and carriages used by former Presidents, in addition to flatware, dishes, and dolls. A section is set aside exclusively for Eva Perón.