Casa Rosada: Visits, Museum, History & Tours

Built on a Fort

The palace stands where the Spanish built Buenos Aires' riverside fort in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 1850s the fort gave way to the Taylor customs house, whose vaults now hold the museum.

Two Buildings in One

In the 1870s President Sarmiento built a central post office on the site, and a government house beside it. In the 1880s the architect Francesco Tamburini joined them with the great central arch.

The palace was completed in 1898.

Why Pink?

The favourite story credits Sarmiento with mixing the red of the Federalists and the white of the Unitarians to signal unity after the civil wars. Another says the colour came from lime mixed with cattle blood.

The Balcony

Few balconies have seen as much history. Perón and Evita spoke from it to vast crowds, and in 1986 Maradona held up the World Cup there. Madonna sang from it in 1996 while filming Evita.

A Working Palace

The Casa Rosada is the seat of the President of Argentina, who works here but lives at the Quinta de Olivos. That's why access inside depends on the government's own visit programme.

The Grenadiers

The palace guard is the Horse Grenadiers Regiment, founded by General San Martín in the wars of independence. Their blue and red uniforms are part of the scene.

Plaza de Mayo

The square in front has seen independence, coups, celebrations and protests. Since 1977 the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo have marched here on Thursdays for the disappeared.

A National Monument

The Casa Rosada was declared a National Historic Monument in 1942, and remains the most recognisable building in Argentina.