The Barolo Palace is the most significant and impressive building, located in the Monserat city block. The building was designed by architect Mario Palanti and its construction was requested by empresario Luis Barolo, who wanted the building to be built in Renaissance fashion, with details depicting scenes from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. This is the reason why the building is separated into three sections, depicting Heaven, Purgatory and Hell. The architect introduced motifs from Indian culture, so several details, such as the dome, resemble Indian sacred temples. The building was finished in 1923, and held the title of South America’s highest building for two years.
Luis Barolo was a rich agriculturalist who moved to Argentina in 1890. He was the first one to bring cotton spinning machines and made his living from the import of tissues. He initiated the first cotton farms in the area. His wish was for the building to be impressive, and to be rented out. The building has a total of 24 storeys (22 storeys and two basements), each floor having a surface area of around 1500m2. The Barolo reaches a height of 100 meters, and a special permit was needed for its construction, as it was four times the allowed height that the buildings along this avenue were allowed to reach. This is also the first armored concrete building over a hundred meters in height. The owner of the building moved around the building’s many floors via a secret elevator that only he could use. This ensured that he would not meet the people who lived on the third floor of the Palacio.
The top of the building boast a lighthouse. At the ground floor, there is a newspaper agency’s office. The building was renovated in 2012. Today, the Palacio Barolo is used as an office building, which doesn’t mean that you cannot visit it.
Ticket price for the Barolo Palace
Regular ticket price 1300 ARS
For residents of Buenos Aires 950 ARS
On weekends regulat ticket price is 1400 ARS.
The Palace is closed on Sunday
On this page you may take at= look at the schedule when can you actually visit the palace
The only option is guider tour which lasts approx. 45 minutes. The tours are usually organized on the following hours: 2 p.m, 3 p.m and 4 p.m.
