Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Pink House; )
Taking up the whole east side of the Plaza de Mayo is the unmistakeable
pink facade of the Casa Rosada. The offices of 'La Presidenta' Cristina Kirchner are
here, but the presidential residence is in the calm suburb of Olivos, north of the center.
The side of the palace that faces the Plaza de Mayo is actually the back of the building.
It's from these balconies that Juan and Eva Perón preached to throngs of impassioned Ar-
gentines. Madonna also crooned from here for her movie
Evita
.
The salmon-pink color of the Casa Rosada palace could have come from President
Sarmiento's attempt at making peace during his 1868-74 term (by blending the red of the
Federalists with the white of the Unitarists). Another theory, however, is that the color
comes from painting the palace with bovine blood, which was a common practice in the
late 19th century.
Off-limits during the military dictatorship of 1976-83, the Casa Rosada is now reason-
ably accessible to the public. Free half-hour
tours
(
4344-3600;
10am-6pm Sat &
Sun)
are offered.
Museo del Bicentenario
MUSEUM
( 4344-3802;
www.museobicentenario.gob.ar
;
cnr Av Paseo Colón & Hipólito Yrigoyen;
10am-6pm Wed-Sun Apr-Nov, 11am-7pm Wed-Sun Dec-Mar)
Behind the Casa Rosada
you'll notice a glassy wedge marking this airy and sparkling underground museum,
housed within the brick vaults of the old
aduana
(customs house). Head down into the
open space, which has over a dozen side rooms - each dedicated to a different era of Ar-
gentina's tumultuous political history. There are mostly videos (in Spanish) and a few ar-
tifacts to see, along with temporary art exhibitions and an impressive restored mural by
Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros. A pleasant cafe-restaurant provides nourishment
and rest.
Catedral Metropolitana
CATHEDRAL
( 7:30am-6:30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm Sat & Sun)
This solemn cathedral was built on the site
of the original colonial church and not finished until 1827. It's a significant religious and
architectural landmark, and carved above its triangular facade and neoclassical columns
are bas-reliefs of Jacob and Joseph. The spacious interior is equally impressive, with
baroque details and an elegant rococo altar.
The cathedral is also a national historical site that contains the tomb of General José de
San Martín, Argentina's most revered hero.
