Buenos Aires Sights

Shopping Nightlife Performing Arts

1. Casa Rosada

The eclectic Casa de Gobierno, better known as the Casa Rosada or Pink House, is at Plaza de Mayo's eastern end. The building houses the government's executive branch—the president works here but lives elsewhere—and was built in the late 19th century. Its curious hue dates from the presidency of Domingo Sarmiento, who ordered it painted pink as a symbol of unification between two warring political factions: the federales (whose color was red) and the unitarios (white). Legend has it that the original paint was made by mixing whitewash with bull's blood. The balcony facing Plaza de Mayo is a presidential podium. From this lofty stage, Evita rallied the descamisados (the shirtless—meaning the working class), Maradona sang along with soccer fans after winning one World Cup and coming second in another, and Madonna belted out her movie rendition of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." Look for a small banner hoisted alongside the nation's flag, indicating "the president is in." On weekends, hour-long guided tours in English leave at 12:30 and 2:30 (book in advance, take ID), taking in some presidential offices and the newly opened Galería de los Patriotas Argentinos del Bicentenario (Bicentennial Gallery of Patriots), a pictorial who's who of Argentina's national heroes. The country's heroines have a room of their own here, the Salón Mujeres Argentinas, where an impassioned Evita presides over black-and-white photographs of Argentina's other great dames.