The glass dome
With its beacon on top.
Eugenio Hansen, OFS — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Roberto Fiadone — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gastón Cuello — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Tgraham919 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Palacio Barolo is an office building on Avenida de Mayo that was, on completion in 1923, the tallest building in Buenos Aires and in all South America, until the Kavanagh Building overtook it in 1935. The Italian architect Mario Palanti designed it for the businessman Luis Barolo, an Italian immigrant who made his fortune in textiles; its twin in Montevideo is the Palacio Salvo, by the same architect. It was declared a national historic monument in 1997. Its 22 floors and 100 metres follow a design inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, in three symbolic sections from the basement to the top, each floor with its own decoration, and it is crowned by a glass dome with a beacon once said to be visible from Montevideo across the river. The building can only be seen on a guided tour, which climbs to the 22nd floor and its balconies for a view all round the city. The day tour includes no drinks, while the night tour includes a glass of wine, so the day tour suits those who avoid alcohol.
With its beacon on top.
From the 22nd floor.
Dante's theme.
Avenida de Mayo 1370, Monserrat
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