Designed down to the door handles
Architect Mario Palanti designed everything for textile businessman Luis Barolo, from the structure to the door handles, lamps and elevator cages.
Urban Tales › Buenos Aires › Palacio Barolo
Palacio Barolo: a building with a lighthouse
When it opened in 1923, the 100-metre Palacio Barolo was the tallest building in Buenos Aires and in South America. On top is a lighthouse, relit in 2010 as the Bicentennial Lighthouse.
Opened1923
Height100 m
ArchitectMario Palanti
National monumentsince 1997
Hear the Palacio Barolo 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
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Tallest, for a while
It was the tallest building in South America until 1928, when Palanti's own Palacio Salvo in Montevideo overtook it, and the tallest in Buenos Aires until the Kavanagh in 1935.
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Dante in concrete
Palanti admired Dante, and the building is often described as a tour of the Divine Comedy, rising from a lower floor for hell to the lighthouse for paradise. It's a well-loved reading of the design rather than a documented plan.
TipGuided tours, some at night, take you up to the lighthouse with views over Avenida de Mayo and the Congress; book ahead. With Urban Tales running, its story plays as you walk along Avenida de Mayo.
Nearby landmarks
Palacio Barolo: common questions
How tall is Palacio Barolo?
About 100 metres. When it opened in 1923 it was the tallest building in South America.
Is Palacio Barolo based on Dante's Divine Comedy?
That's the popular reading: the architect admired Dante, and the building is often described as rising from hell to paradise. It's a beloved interpretation rather than a documented plan.
Can you visit Palacio Barolo?
Yes, with guided tours that go up to the lighthouse. It's still an office building, so book a tour rather than walking in.