Buenos Aires Museums

Buenos Aires is full of museums – if you’re only here for a short visit you’ll need to pick and choose carefully. Here is a selection of some of the more interesting ones.

Museo Evita

Unsurprisingly given her saintlike reputation, Evita has her own museum here in Buenos Aires. This is the place to go if you want to start to learn a little about the woman behind the myth. Aside from documents and an explanation of personal and politcal history there is a large collection of her outfits, writings and belongings.

Lafinur 2988, 11am-7pm Closed Mondays www.museoevita.org

Museo de la Inmigración

Housed in the former Immigration Centre where over 40% of all incoming immigrants to Argentina were at one point housed, the museum provides a fascinating insight into what life would have been like for those entering the country. Inaugurated in 1911 and considered cutting edge at the time, the sleeping and eating areas of up to 4000 “guests” can be visited, along with belongings and items used at the time. At the end of the visit, you can inspect the log book to see if any of your ancestors made the trip.

Avenida Antártida Argentina 1355 Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm; Sat – Sun 11am – 6pm

Fundación PROA / MALBA

Modern Art has 2 homes in Buenos Aires, the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) in Recoleta and the more recently opened Fundación Proa in La Boca. Both places are housed in innovative, modern buildings and have permanent and temporary exhibitions focusing on all that is new and fresh in Latino art.

MALBA – Avda. Figueroa Alcorta 3415 12pm – 8pm Closed Tuesdays
Proa – Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1929 11am – 7pm Closed Mondays

Museo Xul Solar

Painter, sculptor, writer, astrologer and inventor of imaginary languages Argentine artist Alejandro “Xul” Solar is not easy to classify. Housed in his former home in Barrio Norte, this museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the symbolism and occasional eccentricity of his artwork and modified objects. Whilst not conventional, the collection is well documented and brings to life Solar’s unique view of the world and our future.

Laprida 1212 11am – 7:30pm Closed Sundays & Mondays

Palacio de las Aguas Corrientes

One of the more striking buildings in Buenos Aires, the “Running Water Palace” was built in the 1880s, on the highest point in the city at the time, as a humble water pumping station. As humble as a pumping station decorated with over 300,000 hand painted faience tiles imported from Britain can be anyway. To this day the landmark on Avenida Cordobá still houses water company offices, but also features a very comprehensive historical display of sanitation systems and toilets from Argentina and around the world. Unusual, but worth a visit, especially with kids as there are many interactive exhibits to play with. More pictures of the Palacio

Museum entrance: Riobamba 750 9am – 1pm Closed weekends