National Congress, Buenos Aires

51±¬ÁÏÍø

National Congress, Buenos Aires

National Congress, Buenos Aires

The National Congress building in Buenos Aires is the seat of the Argentine parliament. It is located at the western end of Avenida de Mayo. On the other end is the Casa Rosada that houses the offices of the President.

Plans for the National Congress building were drawn by Italian Architect Vittorio Meano and completed by Argentine architect Julio Dormal. Construction of the building began in 1898 and was partially complete in 1906 when it was inaugurated by President Jose Figueroa Alcorta. The first joint session of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate was held in 1906 in the building. The decorative details were not completed until 1946. Sculptor, Victor de Pol executed the quadriga on top of the main entrance and the interiors were decorated with bronzes by a local sculptor, Lola Mora. The Congressional square facing the structure was designed by the French-Argentine urban landscape artist Carlos Thays and opened in 1910. The kilometer 0 for all Argentine National Highways is marked on a stone at the Plaza.

Tourists and members of the public can take one of the guided tours around the National Congress Building on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The guides show visitors the Chamber of Deputies, the room where guests are received that has large paintings depicting historical events in the parliament on each wall and the beautiful library with hand carved walnut wood panels.

Tip:
Ask for guided tours in Spanish/English as they are available on most weekdays. You'll need a photo ID to be let into the building (a passport photocopy should suffice).

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Buenos Aires. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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National Congress on Map

Sight Name: National Congress
Sight Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina (See walking tours in Buenos Aires)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Create Your Own Walk in Buenos Aires

Create Your Own Walk in Buenos Aires

Creating your own self-guided walk in Buenos Aires is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
May Avenue Walking Tour

May Avenue Walking Tour

May Avenue (Avenida de Mayo) is one of the grandest and most important avenues in Buenos Aires, leading from Plaza de Mayo with the Pink House at one end, to Argentina’s National Congress building at the other. Named in honor of the May Revolution of 1810 which lead to the country’s independence from Spain, it is difficult not to compare this grand thoroughfare to other major boulevards around...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Palermo Area Walking Tour

Palermo Area Walking Tour

Situated just back from one of the main thoroughfares, Santa Fe Avenue (Avenida Santa Fe), Palermo is a relaxed and culturally delightful area full of restaurants, cafes, and wall murals. The tree-lined streets are shady and many of the older Spanish-style houses were converted into small shops without compromising their original character. It’s an excellent place in which to sample the city’s...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Recoleta Neighborhood Walking Tour

Recoleta Neighborhood Walking Tour

One of Buenos Aires’ most beautiful neighborhoods, Recoleta is the city’s heart of art and elegance, grace and modernism, culture and leisure. Here you will find lots of things to do, like visiting museums, galleries and cultural centers; relaxing in one of the beautiful parks and plazas; or sampling the delicious local food.

This walking tour along Recoleta begins at the Ateneo Grand...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Buenos Aires Introduction Walking Tour

Buenos Aires Introduction Walking Tour

Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina. The city was first founded as Ciudad de Nuestra Señora Santa María del Buen Ayre in 1536 by the Spanish. But this settlement was quickly abandoned in 1542, and the city was refounded in 1580. Buenos Aires boomed as a port city focused on trade.

Argentina gained independence from Spanish rule during the May Revolution of 1810. Today, the May...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

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