Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
130
museum treats her histor y fairly, looking at both the good and the bad, it is ob vious that
love is behind the pr esentation. Indeed, Evita's grandniece C ristina Alvarez Rodríguez is
often in the building meeting with the staff. The museum, designed and curated by Gabriel
Miremont, divides E vita's life into sev eral par ts, looking at her childhood; her arriv al in
Buenos Aires to become an actr ess; her assumption as E vita, first lady and unofficial saint
to millions; and finally her death and legacy . You will be able to vie w her clothes, remark-
ably preserved by the militar y government, which took po wer after Perón. Other artifacts
of her life include her v oting card—significant because only thr ough Evita did Argentine
women gain the right to vote. There are also toys and schoolbooks adorned with her image,
given to childr en to indoctrinate them with the P eronist ideology. The most touching
artifact of all is a smashed statue of Evita, hidden for decades by a farmer in his barn, despite
the possibility of his being jailed for housing it. Scholars of Argentine histor y should note
that one of the largest collections of literatur e related to the Peróns is in the building, but
you will need special permission to visit this section. Whether you hate, lo ve, or r emain
indifferent to Evita, you shouldn't miss this museum; digesting the exhibitions will help you
understand why she remains such a controversial figure within the Argentine psyche.
Calle Lafinur 2988 (at Gutiérr ez).
&
11/4807-9433.
www.evitaperon.org. Admission $2 (£1.35). Tues-
Sun 2-7:30pm. Metro: Plaza Italia.
Museo Nacional de A rte Dec orativo (Na tional Museum of Dec orative
Art)
French architect Rene Sergent, who designed some of the grandest mansions
in Buenos Aires, envisioned and dev eloped this museum. The building's 18th-centur y
French design pr ovides a classical setting for the div erse decorativ e styles r epresented
within. Breathtaking sculptures, paintings, and furnishings round out the collection, and
themed shows rotate seasonally. The
Museo de Arte Oriental
(Museum of Eastern Art)
displays art, pottery, and engravings on the first floor of the building. The building is
itself a work of art and gives an idea of the incr edible mansions that once lined the av e-
nue, overlooking the extensive Palermo park system.
Av. del Liber tador 1902 (at Bustamant e).
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11/4801-8248.
Admission $1 (70p). M on-Fri 2-8pm; Sat-
Sun 11am-7pm. No metro access.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts)
This
building, which formerly pumped the city 's water supply, metamorphosed into B uenos
Aires's most impor tant art museum in 1930. The museum contains the world 's largest
collection of Argentine sculptures and paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also
houses European art dating from the pre-Renaissance period to the present day. The col-
lections include notable pieces b y R enoir, M onet, R odin, Toulouse-Lautrec, and v an
Gogh, as well as a surprisingly extensive collection of Picasso drawings.
Av. del Libertador 1473 (at Pueyrredón).
&
11/4803-0802.
Free admission. Tues-Sun 12:30-7:30pm. No
metro access.
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OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Basílica y C onvento de S an F rancisco (S an F rancisco's Chur ch and C on-
vent)
The S an R oque parish is one of the oldest in the city . A J esuit ar chitect
designed the church in 1730, but a final r econstruction in the early 20th centur y added
a German baroque facade, along with statues of Saint Francis of Assisi, Dante, and Chris-
topher Columbus. Inside you'll find a tapestry by Argentine artist Horacio Butler, along
with an extensive library.
Calle Defensa and Alsina.
&
11/4331-0625.
Free admission. Hours vary. Metro: Plaza de Mayo.
