Have you ever wondered what secrets lie within the narrowest house in Buenos Aires? The Casa Mínima, a historic testimony to the origins of Buenos Aires from its first foundation in the 16th century, stands as a fascinating mystery waiting to be explored.
This guide will challenge you to delve into the intriguing theories about its tiny dimensions. Together with the nearby Zanjón de Granados, this iconic site offers a unique glimpse into the rich history of Buenos Aires that you can’t afford to miss.
Casa Mínima (Buenos Aires): Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is the Casa Mínima of Buenos Aires?
Casa Mínima, with just 2.50 meters of frontage, is known as the narrowest house in Buenos Aires. It was part of a residence from the second decade of the 19th century. This house, located on Pasaje San Lorenzo, features a simple facade with a two-leaf door painted green and a small balcony with iron railings on the upper floor.
These houses were typically for freed slaves, who were given small plots of land adjacent to their owners’ properties. The Casa Mínima is the only remaining example of this type of house in Buenos Aires. It measures 2.50 meters wide and 13 meters deep, reflecting the residual space left after various building renovations over the years.
Original Features and Restoration
Inside, Casa Mínima retains its original 200-year-old clay walls and adobe plaster. Along with a visit to the adjacent mansion, its beautiful courtyard, and Memory Wall, a guided tour traces the early traditions of Buenos Aires through slavery and the birth of Tango.
If you wish to visit El Zanjón and Casa Mínima on the same day, you can buy a combo promotion only at the museum ticket office.
Architectural Details
The facade is plain, with a small entrance and a green-painted door with an iron lock. The upper floor features a small balcony with vertical iron bars, hiding a symmetrical two-leaf window with matching curtains. Over the cornice, some plants reveal the old and weathered construction materials.
In the 1990s, the property was purchased by the director of El Zanjón Granados, one of Buenos Aires’s most important archaeological works, discovered in the mid-1980s. This underground tunnel system beneath the block reveals remnants of one of the streams that flowed into the Río de la Plata.
Theories about the Casa Mínima
The House of the Freed Slave
In the first half of the 19th century, Buenos Aires had a significant number of black slaves (of about 800,000 inhabitants in 1850, 110,000 were mulattoes, and 20,000 were black). Upon the declaration of freedom of the womb and the abolition of slavery, these freed slaves needed places to live.
It was common for their former masters to provide them with small plots of land to build their homes. The neighborhood legend says that a slave of Urquiza was given this small house upon his liberation in 1813.
However, since slavery was not abolished in Argentina until 1853, the house (allegedly built in 1813) could not have belonged to a freed slave.
The More Likely Version
Architect José María Peña, director of the Museo de la Ciudad, conducted an investigation and found in an 1860 cadastre (showing lot dimensions) that the land belonging to the Casa Mínima was originally part of a property with 16 meters of frontage and 17 meters of depth.
Peña believes that successive divisions of the land left a lot of less than 2.5 meters wide, resulting in the Casa Mínima as it stands today.
Where is the Casa Mínima located?
The Casa Mínima is located in the San Telmo neighborhood, the central and historical area of Buenos Aires.
You can find the Casa on Pasaje San Lorenzo, which is bordered by Defensa and Balcarce streets. Nearby are important avenues like Paseo Colon, Independencia, and Belgrano, all crucial for traffic in this area of Buenos Aires.
Additionally, the Zanjón de Granados, a historical site where ruins from the first founding of Buenos Aires in the 16th century were discovered, is close by.
Just a block north on Defensa Street, you will find the famous statue of Mafalda. Expanding the map a bit more, to the south of Casa Mínima is the La Boca and Caminito area; to the east is Puerto Madero; to the north is the Obelisco and Plaza de Mayo; and to the west is Buenos Aires’s and the world’s largest avenue, 9 de Julio.
How can I get to the Casa Mínima?
The Casa Mínima, located at the San Lorenzo passage in the San Telmo neighborhood, is accessible through various means of public transportation.
Due to the historical nature and narrow streets of the area, public transport gets you close, but you might need to walk a few blocks.
Bus
Several bus lines pass near the Casa Mínima: 2, 8, 33, 74, 93, 126, 130, and 152.
Train
You can also take the Mitre, Roca, and Sarmiento train lines, with the Constitución station being just a few blocks away from San Telmo.
Subway
The subway is another good option. The C and E lines run North-South and are practical for getting close to the Casa Mínima, while the A, D, and B lines can drop you off at some of the avenues running East-West, though the walking distance might be more considerable.
Private Vehicles and Taxis
Using private vehicles or taxis to get to the Casa Mínima is not the best idea. The area features cobblestone streets, narrow passageways, and is heavily frequented by pedestrians, especially on weekends, which can make driving chaotic.
Things to See in the Casa Mínima
Explore the Casa Mínima from the Inside
From the outside, Casa Mínima gives you an idea of how small it is inside. However, seeing it in person is a different experience.
Entering Casa Mínima is like being in a studio apartment but in the form of a house, with the added value of having an upper floor accessible by stairs. You will see firsthand why it is known as the narrowest house in Buenos Aires.
Learn About the History and Myths of Casa Mínima
Casa Mínima is also known for the myth surrounding it. It was believed that a freed slave lived there, to whom his master had donated the land to build his home. Hence, it was long known among locals as the Casa del Esclavo Liberto.
However, documents and evidence found over time disprove the theory of the freed slave. So, what is the real story behind this small house in San Telmo? Discover it yourself during the tour!
Visit the Adjacent Mansion
The mansion next to Casa Mínima has added to the intrigue of the theories. It has been wondered why this large property has one type of facade while Casa Mínima, right next door, has a more imperfect design.
This mansion was a tenement house for immigrants from Europe and other places during much of the 20th century (until around the 1980s). You can learn about how families lived and organized their daily lives in this historic building.
El Zanjón de Granados Just a Few Meters Away
Both historical sites are offered as part of the same tour. While it’s not necessary to visit El Zanjón de Granados and Casa Mínima at the same time, it is possible since they belong to the same organization.
You can visit both sites, paying less than if you did separately, and covering just a short distance of 50 steps between the two locations.
Last Considerations
Will you let the opportunity to visit the Casa Mínima slip by? Nestled in the vibrant heart of San Telmo, this historic gem offers a firsthand glimpse into the early days of Buenos Aires.
The protected status of San Telmo’s buildings ensures that many, including the Casa Mínima, are maintained in their original splendor.
With guided tours available in both English and Spanish for the Casa Mínima and the nearby Zanjón de Granados, you can easily find a convenient time to delve into the rich history of the city. This guide from ExpatPathways provides everything you need to know for an unforgettable visit.
