Casa Rosada is an alluring and somewhat enigmatic attraction in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The reason it contains a measure of mystery is because very few people over the years since it was built in the 1800s have been permitted inside the complex. To this day photographs are only permitted in the courtyard. Casa Rosada tours are available, but they do not cover the entirety of the building. Much in the same way that when you take a tour of the White House in Washington D.C. you do not see the Oval Office or the Situation Room, you can expect to see only a select bit of the presidential palace in Buenos Aires. This should not however dissuade you from making the trip to check it our. It is certainly one of the most iconic, historic, and aesthetically pleasing buildings in the entire city.

The Casa Rosada literally translates as the “pink house.” While this is an apt description of the color of the expansive facility, it in no way does the importance or cultural significance of the presidential palace in Buenos Aires justice. When you make your way to the area of the Plaza de Mayo, known to locals simply as the Centro, you will begin to comprehend the size and scope of the Italianate structure that inspires the creation of postcards and the taking of photographs by nearly all who visit it. There is also the international cultural appeal of the balcony where Eva Peron appeared so many times and bid the final farewell to her people, imploring the now famous line: “don’t cry for me Argentina.” When you take one of the Casa Rosada tours you will be able to pay a visit to the ground level museum where you will learn much about the presidential palace in Buenos Aires as well as Argentina in general.

Besides learning fun facts, including that Madonna has been one of the only people allowed to visit the famous balcony and that scenes from the movie Evita were filmed on the balcony, you will also learn significant information that speaks to the cultural and political dynamics at work in Argentina. One interesting tidbit is how it ever came to be that it was decided that the palace should be painted pink. In 1873, the year the palace was constructed, there were two primary political parties, one represented by the color red, and the other represented by the color pink. To signal an attempt at national unity and non-partisan agreement, it was decided that the great construct should be painted pink.

Buenos Aires Map

Although you do not get to see all of the rooms on the Casa Rosada tours, you certainly get much greater insight into the country of Argentina if you do make the trip. It is not only visually stunning from the outside but also from the inside. If you are interested in learning more about the people, politics, and history of the country of Argentina, you should seriously consider putting this place on your list of Buenos Aires attractions to visit. The Casa Rosada remains one of the most iconic and historic buildings in the country.