Following mass at the Catredale Metropolitana, we walked over to the Casa Rosada (aka "The Pink House") located on the eastern end of the Plaza de Mayo. The Casa Rosada is the Presidential Palace and has been the official seat of the executive branch of the Government of Argentina since 1898. The President works here, but unlike the United States, does not live here. (A separate residence for the President is located outside of the city.)
Much to our surprise, the Casa Rosada was open for tours. This indeed is a very rare occurrence. Tours of the Presidential Palace are limited and not offered very often. The country of Argentina will be celebrating its bicentennial in 2010 and in the entrance hall was a small exhibit of artifacts and mementos.
Palace Guards
Looking Up in the Entrance Hall
Banners of Patriotism
Just off of the main entrance hall there is a small chapel. Located by the front door, there is this small shrine to Padre Pio, the Saint from my dad's hometown that my father knew. (This made my dad's day and visit!)
Shrine to Padre Pio in the Casa Rosada
After waiting in a queue for about 20 minutes, we were lead by one of the Palace Guards to the Presidential quarters on the second floor of the Casa Rosada. On this excellent 40 minute tour, the first room that we visited was the Salón Mujeres del Bicentenario (Hall of Bicentennial Women). Here I was able to live out my fantasy of making a presidential address.
"People of Argentina...."
We then walked through a number of corridors until we were overlooking the Patio of Honor. Also known as "The Palm Tree Patio," this courtyard has an artistic French iron fountain surrounded by flowerbeds contained by a low Carrara marble wall in the center of the patio. With archways and columns, the corridors were very European in style.
Columns and Arches Overlooking the Patio of Honor
The next room that we visited was the Salon Certificos Argentinos. This room and two smaller adjoining rooms are used for small meetings and to entertain diplomatic visitors to the Casa Rosada. We also had a chance to go out on the balcony overlooking the Plaza de Mayo. However, this was not the same balcony Evita used to address the adoring crowds of Argentine workers. (That balcony is strictly off limits to tourists.)
Salon Certificos Argentinos
Halls of the Casa Rosada
The most ornate and impressive room that we visited on our tour of the Casa Rosada was the Salon Blanco (or White Hall). Here the most important government functions take place, with the most outstanding being the ceremony in which the President receives the Presidential sash and baton, symbols of his authority. Other ceremonies that take place in this room include the swearing in of Ministers and Secretaries of State, and ceremonies in which new foreign Ambassadors present their credentials. The Salon Blanco is also used for receptions for special guests, for the signing of international treaties, for important Presidential addresses, and occasionally for the wake of very important Argentines.
Just above the fireplace of this richly decorated room you will find a bust representing the Fatherland. This marble sculpture was made by the Italian artist Ettore Ximenes. Above the bust is the National Coat of Arms made of bronze mounted on a marble plaque capped by two angels made of shiny wood, holding trumpets of glory. In the right corner there is a bust of General San Martin, and in the left corner stands the bust of General Manuel Belgrano.
Salon Blanco
The ceiling of the room is decorated with a painting by the Italian artist, Luis de Servi, painted in 1910 as a tribute to the centennial of the May Revolution and to Argentina's independence. In the centre of the room hangs the impressive gilt bronze French chandelier.
Ceiling Painting by Luis de Servi
Ceiling Painting by Luis de Servi
Chandelier in the Salon Blanco
Video of the White Hall
Off of the Salon Blanco are two more meeting rooms, the North Hall and the South Hall. The North Hall (or Salon Norte) is also called the Room of Agreements. In it is the Victorian style Agreement Table, made in 1949, surrounded by chairs with velvet tufted seats.
Salon Norte
We then walked down the gallery of stained glass windows towards the wing that contains the Presidential Offices. We were then led past the reception waiting rooms and finally into Argentina's version of the Oval Office. This room has been used as the President's Office since 1946. There are two guards permanently stationed to guard the office.
Stained Glass Window Gallery
Guarding the President's Office
Fireplace in the President's Office
Upon leaving the Presidential Offices, we descending the French Stairs of Honor back to the ground floor. Before leaving the Casa Rosada, the last room that we visited was the Gallery of Busts. Here you will find the busts of past Argentinian presidents, including Juan Perón.
Bust of Juan Perón
There are two conflicting theories to explain why the Casa Rosada is called "The Pink House." The first theory is strictly political: two warring parties, one represented by the color red, the other by white, created a truce by painting the building a color combining both shades. The other more practical theory is that, historically, the building was painted with cow's blood, that when dried in the sun, became this deep pink color. Either way, the building is a must-see when you visit Buenos Aires.
The Balcony Made Famous by Eva Perón
My Mom's Best Evita Impersonation
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