Lime and cattle blood
A popular legend says pink mixed the red and white of two rival parties. The likelier answer is practical: 19th-century whitewash was often mixed with bovine blood, which helped it resist damp, and the mix turned pink.
Urban Tales › Buenos Aires › Casa Rosada
Casa Rosada: why it's pink
The pink palace on Plaza de Mayo holds the president's offices. It stands where a Spanish fort was built in 1594, and its colour comes from the 1870s, not from a political compromise.
AddressBalcarce 50
First fort here1594
Painted pink1870s, under Sarmiento
TodayPresidential offices
Hear the Casa Rosada story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
1
2
Two buildings and an arch
The palace is really two buildings: the old government house and a post office built next to it in the 1870s. In 1884 architect Francesco Tamburini joined them with the big central arch, and you can still spot a small mismatch where the mouldings meet.
3
The balcony
Perón and Evita spoke to crowds from its balcony, and in 1996 Madonna sang "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" there for the film Evita.
TipOn weekends you can often take a free guided tour inside (bring ID and check the official schedule first). From the square, the best view of the balcony is from in front of the pyramid.
Nearby landmarks
Casa Rosada: common questions
Why is the Casa Rosada pink?
It was painted pink in the 1870s, during Domingo Sarmiento's presidency. The usual explanation is that whitewash of the time was mixed with bovine blood to make it more durable, which gave a pink colour.
Does the president live in the Casa Rosada?
No. It holds the president's offices; the official residence is the Quinta de Olivos, in the suburbs.
Can you visit the Casa Rosada?
Yes, there are free guided visits, usually on weekends. Check the official schedule before you go, and bring ID.