Are you ready to discover one of Buenos Aires’ most unique architectural marvels? Welcome to “Palacio Barolo: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit.”
This extraordinary building, inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, offers a journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven right in the heart of the city. Whether you’re a digital nomad, a traveler, or an expat, the Palacio Barolo promises an unforgettable experience.
Join ExpatPathways as we guide you through the history, architecture, and activities that make this landmark a must-visit destination.
Palacio Barolo: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is the Palacio Barolo?
The Palacio Barolo is a unique building globally, designed with multiple references to Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. It was constructed by Italian architect Mario Palanti at the request of businessman Luigi Barolo and inaugurated in 1923.
It became the tallest building in South America at that time, even surpassing height regulations by reaching 100 meters on Avenida de Mayo. The Barolo features several distinctive characteristics, including being the first reinforced concrete building nearly 100 meters tall in Buenos Aires and having a 300,000-candlepower rotating beacon on the 22nd floor.
This beacon transmitted the result of the 1923 world title boxing match between Luis Angel Firpo and Jack Dempsey in New York.
Fascination with Dante Alighieri
Both Palanti and Barolo were admirers of Dante Alighieri, and the design of the palace is inspired by the Divine Comedy. The project was divided into three parts corresponding to hell, purgatory, and heaven.
The architectural style is indefinable, combining Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau elements with modern construction techniques, and has influences from Indian architecture, such as the Palace of the Winds in Jaipur and the Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneshvar.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite its elaborate projection and inauguration, the Barolo had a brief golden era. The mysterious death of Luigi Barolo, the global economic crisis of 1929, and World War II negatively impacted investments in the country and affected this building of almost 400 offices.
However, the building was preserved and restored, with significant efforts culminating in 2010 when it was declared the “Lighthouse of the Argentine Bicentennial.”
Historical and Architectural Significance
The Palacio Barolo is a historical monument and a unique piece of architecture inspired by the Divine Comedy. It includes numerous references to Dante’s work and features a rotating beacon at its peak.
The building stands 100 meters tall, occupying 1,365 square meters, and its front spans 30.88 meters. In 1997, it was declared a National Historic Monument. Today, it serves as an office building housing professionals from various fields.
Where is the Palacio Barolo Located?
Monserrat is a typical central Buenos Aires neighborhood bustling with workers, passersby, and tourists every day of the week. The area offers numerous hostels, hotels, transportation options, and a vibrant commercial and gastronomic scene.
The Palacio Barolo, also known as Pasaje Barolo or Galería Barolo, is located on Avenida de Mayo in the Monserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It sits between Uruguay and Santiago del Estero streets, close to notable landmarks such as the National Congress, Avenida 9 de Julio, and other important avenues like Corrientes, Belgrano, and Callao.
Access Points
The Palacio Barolo can be accessed from both Avenida de Mayo and Avenida Hipólito Yrigoyen. Designed by Italian architect Mario Palanti, the building features detailed elements like door handles, lamps, and elevator cages, representing a comprehensive architectural concept.
How to Get to the Palacio Barolo?
The Palacio Barolo offers various visiting options, including daytime, nighttime, and themed tours. All tours include a walk through the building from its ground floor to the top of its beacon, passing through different floors and experiencing its iconic stairs and elevators.
Transportation Options
- Buses: Multiple bus lines such as 7, 8, 56, 60, 64, 86, 102, and 105 stop near the Palacio Barolo.
- Subway: The building is conveniently located near the A line subway, with a station 100 meters away on Avenida de Mayo. Additionally, the B and D lines run parallel to Avenida de Mayo and can also drop you off close to the Palacio.
- Bicycles: Cycling is a viable option, though finding a safe place to park can be challenging. It is advised not to leave bikes unattended on public streets.
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Booking Tours
Tours and visits must be booked in advance. Options include guided daytime, nighttime, themed, or personalized tours.
Upon arrival at the Palacio Barolo, confirm your registration at the tour office, where you will receive an identification badge to begin your visit.
Why Should You Visit the Palacio Barolo?
- Motivated by his admiration for Dante Alighieri, architect Mario Palanti designed the building as a Danteum, a structure that allegorically follows the layout of Dante’s masterpiece.
- The Palacio Barolo’s general division mirrors the structure of the Divine Comedy, with three parts: Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, where the lighthouse represents the Empyrean, the highest point of Heaven, symbolizing divine light and the presence of God.
- The building’s structure reflects Dante’s poem, with 100 meters in height, the same number of cantos in the poem, and divided into two bodies with 11 offices per block on each level, totaling 22 floors, the same number as the stanzas in the Divine Comedy. The design follows the golden section and sacred proportions.
- In the central passage, the palace features nine access vaults representing Hell, with Latin inscriptions and fourteen quotes from nine different works, maintaining the recurring number in the Divine Comedy.
- The building has nine elevators, two of which were hidden and never used as they were intended for Barolo’s personal use, but he died before the building’s inauguration.
- The Hell consists of the two basements and the central passage (the entrance hall connecting Avenida de Mayo and Hipólito Yrigoyen). Floors 1 to 14 represent Purgatory, with the seven deadly sins represented every two floors.
- The decoration, complex and profuse in Hell with its sculptures of fantastic animals, becomes cleaner as it approaches Heaven, located on the 14th floor in the Barolo Tower. From there, visitors can access the observation deck via increasingly narrow and bright stairs.
- The views from the Palacio Barolo are admirable, and its 360-degree balconies offer unique and unforgettable panoramas.
- The glass dome at the top, 100 meters high, houses an imposing urban lighthouse symbolizing God in the Divine Comedy and its dome with Hindu reminiscences representing Dante and Beatrice’s love story.
- The Palacio Barolo is an indispensable building for understanding the Belle Époque that Buenos Aires experienced in the first half of the 20th century. Until the construction of the Kavanagh building in Recoleta, the Palacio Barolo was the tallest building in Buenos Aires.
Activities at the Palacio Barolo
Contemplate the Architecture of Palacio Barolo
The Palacio Barolo is a jewel of Buenos Aires architecture. The building embodies various international architectural trends of the 20th century, visible not only in its forms but also in the materials used and the finest details.
Take an Imaginary Journey Back in Time
Walking through the floors of the Palacio Barolo is the best way to travel back in time. Both Europeans and other foreign visitors find many similarities between the design of Palacio Barolo and historical buildings in their home countries.
This is no coincidence but a result of the significant immigration and social transformation process that took place in Argentina from the late 19th century. Therefore, visiting the Palacio Barolo is like a journey through time with the perspective and appreciation of the present.
Capture the Best Photos of Buenos Aires
Although it is not the tallest building in Buenos Aires, its location and the design of its summit allow travelers to capture the city’s most beautiful photos.
Initially, you might feel a bit dizzy as the top consists of balconies, and the lighthouse is an acrylic structure without walls. However, the most spectacular images of Buenos Aires can only be taken from the top of the Palacio Barolo.
Enjoy the Restaurant in Palacio Barolo
The Palacio Barolo is an office building and has never been intended as a residence for aristocrats or a residential building. The only changes since its inauguration have been the distribution of offices on each floor.
Owners or tenants can make certain modifications as long as they do not alter the original materials. Restoration is permitted, but replacing or making new parts of the building is not. Some professionals have had to combine several offices into one large office, which is allowed as long as it only involves installing a main door.
Along with the offices, which have a waiting list for people interested in renting one of the many available, there is a restaurant on the ground floor. Here, you can enjoy a coffee or a meal inside the Palacio Barolo, either before or after the tour. It’s also possible to enjoy a meal or coffee on the Palacio Barolo’s terrace, although reservations are limited.
Choose Your Preferred Guided Tour
The Palacio Barolo offers several options for visiting the building, from daytime tours to nighttime visits and personalized or themed options. You also have the advantage of photographing and filming as much as you want.
The Palacio imposes no restrictions on image or video recording as long as the tour guide’s indicated route is respected. Additionally, the guides are proficient in English.
Last Considerations
Visiting the Palacio Barolo is an unmissable experience for digital nomads, travelers, and expats alike. This architectural gem, steeped in references to Dante’s Divine Comedy, promises a captivating journey through its intricately designed floors.
The Palacio Barolo offers flexible guided tour schedules, ensuring you have no reason to skip this incredible building. Use the identification badge provided at the start of your visit to stay connected with your group and follow the guide’s route to ensure you don’t miss any highlights.
For more insights and travel tips, check out ExpatPathways and enrich your Buenos Aires exploration.
(Featured Image Source: aykut gebes/flickr.com)
