Are you ready to step into the life and legacy of the world’s most renowned tango artist? The Carlos Gardel House Museum in Buenos Aires offers a captivating glimpse into the early years of Carlos Gardel, who lived here before rising to international fame.
As a historical monument, this museum is protected and preserved, allowing visitors to explore Gardel’s life, his artistic contributions, and the impact of his unexpected death in the 1930s.
This guide, brought to you by ExpatPathways, will provide everything you need to know before your visit to this iconic destination.
Carlos Gardel House Museum (Buenos Aires): Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is the Carlos Gardel House Museum?
Do you want to step inside and explore the house where Carlos Gardel lived with his mother Berta and his uncles? It’s an experience you can’t miss.
Today, the house in the Balvanera neighborhood, where the famous singer resided from 1927 until his departure from Argentina on November 7, 1933, is home to the Carlos Gardel House Museum.
History and Inauguration
The museum was inaugurated on March 4, 2003, to rescue, preserve, investigate, and disseminate the heritage linked to Gardel, his era, and the cultural industries he was part of.
In the covered patio of this house, Gardel used to gather with his loved ones to enjoy the delicious meals his mother prepared when he was not on tour.
Exhibits and Displays
The museum’s rooms invite you to get closer to Gardel’s life, from his early days, his discography, and filmography, to his last journey, during which he lost his life in a plane crash in the midst of a successful tour through Latin America. The voice of the “Morocho del Abasto” will accompany you throughout the tour.
Historical Significance
After the death of his mother, Marie Berthe Gardes, also known as Berta Gardés, the house on Jean Jaures was either auctioned off or sold. In the early 1970s, it transformed into the tango venue “La Casa de Carlos Gardel” and was managed by a football director, Virgilio Machado.
The property changed hands several times, and in 1996, Argentine businessman Eduardo Eurnekian bought it with the intention of creating a museum.
However, a presidential decree in 1997 declared the house a National Historic Monument, leading Eurnekian to abandon the project. Eventually, he donated the property to the city of Buenos Aires and funded its restoration.
Permanent and Temporary Exhibits
The museum displays Gardel’s belongings and documents, among other objects related to the history of tango and Buenos Aires during the singer’s lifetime.
The museum also commemorates significant anniversaries, such as the 125th anniversary of Gardel’s birth in 2015, with exhibitions on the great lyrical masters of the 19th and early 20th centuries, along with dances and milongas.
In 2016, the Buenos Aires City Museums Directorate revamped the space to present a new museographic and museological script, using some original objects and copies of photographic material.
Visitors are captivated by the eternally young voice of the “Morocho del Abasto,” which accompanies them through the different moments of a life and career that continue to inspire admiration.
The museum also showcases the incredible number of songs Carlos Gardel recorded throughout his career, fragments of his films, and newspaper clippings about the impact of his death.
Where is the Carlos Gardel House Museum located?
The Carlos Gardel House Museum is located just two blocks from the Abasto Shopping Center, the most iconic building in the area. This zone is bustling with commercial, gastronomic, and artistic activity, with tango and milonga being central to its cultural scene.
Nearby Landmarks and Attractions
Close to the Carlos Gardel House Museum, you’ll find Avenida Corrientes, a major thoroughfare for the area and the city of Buenos Aires. The surrounding area offers theaters, cultural centers, bars, and many dining options, particularly known for Peruvian cuisine.
Proximity to Other Attractions
Walking two blocks along Jean Jaures, the street where the museum is situated, you can reach the Carlos Gardel Passage. Here, you will find bars, restaurants, and a statue honoring the tango singer.
Neighborhood Context
To the north of the Balvanera neighborhood, where the museum is located, you can reach the Palermo neighborhood. To the east, Balvanera borders the central Buenos Aires neighborhoods of Monserrat and San Nicolás.
To the west is the Almagro neighborhood, which shares many urban design and activity characteristics with Balvanera. Finally, to the south, Balvanera borders the San Cristóbal neighborhood.
How to Get to the Carlos Gardel House Museum
The most direct way to reach the Carlos Gardel House Museum in the Abasto (Balvanera) neighborhood is by subway. The B line runs under Corrientes Avenue, located just a few blocks from the museum, with a station right in front of the Abasto Shopping Center.
You can also take the H line, which runs north-south and has a station at the intersection of Corrientes and Pueyrredón Avenues. From there, you can either walk to the museum or transfer to the B line and get off at the Carlos Gardel station in front of Abasto.
Additionally, several bus lines will bring you close to the museum, as it is centrally located in Buenos Aires. Some of the bus lines that can take you there include 24, 26, 29, 71, 99, 124, 146, 180, and 188.
The area is very accessible for private vehicles and bicycles. Cyclists can use exclusive bike lanes on Corrientes Avenue and Humahuaca Street.
The Carlos Gardel House Museum is open to the public on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM. It is also open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10 AM to 8 PM, and it is closed on Tuesdays.
Things to See at the Carlos Gardel House Museum
Explore the Neighborhood Where Carlos Gardel Lived
Before entering the Carlos Gardel House Museum, take some time to explore the neighborhood and the area where this iconic place is located. The museum is situated in the Abasto neighborhood, where Carlos Gardel spent the early years of his career before becoming an international figure.
Walking through the streets of this neighborhood, especially those near Abasto Shopping Center and the museum, you will find many references to Carlos Gardel, including statues and murals. This will give you a sense of how deeply Carlos Gardel is associated with Abasto in the popular imagination.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to visit the Carlos Gardel Corner, where tango shows are performed, the impressive Abasto Shopping Center, Carlos Gardel Passage, and other attractions in the area.
Tour Carlos Gardel’s House
Remember, this was the actual house where Carlos Gardel lived, not just a museum. Despite inevitable renovations to address issues and damages, the structure is original.
You will see what a typical house in the Abasto neighborhood looked like in the 1920s and 1930s. You can tour each room and witness firsthand the artistic legacy Carlos Gardel left to humanity.
View Objects and Photographs
The museum houses a collection of photographs, objects, instruments, and other treasures directly or indirectly related to Carlos Gardel.
One of the most impressive features is the large mural photograph of Carlos Gardel, where you can take a picture.
Review His Artistic Career
Carlos Gardel’s artistic career is remarkable. After rising to fame as a singer in Buenos Aires, his voice and charisma quickly took him to the world’s greatest stages.
Musical instruments and his music playing throughout the museum create an immersive experience. It feels as if Carlos Gardel himself is singing during your visit, live and in person, which is the true magic of the Carlos Gardel House Museum.
Last Considerations
Will you miss the chance to explore the iconic Carlos Gardel House Museum? As a digital nomad, traveler, or expat in Buenos Aires, this museum is a must-see to truly appreciate the legacy of the world’s most celebrated tango artist.
The surrounding Abasto neighborhood is brimming with cultural experiences, including tango venues, eclectic bars, and fantastic restaurants.
Incorporate the Carlos Gardel House Museum into your itinerary to fully enjoy all that this historic area has to offer. Discover more insightful tips and guides at ExpatPathways.
(Featured Image Source: Turismo Buenos Aires/flickr.com)
