House of Culture

History

The building of the current Casa de la Cultura was inaugurated in 1898 as the headquarters of the newspaper La Prensa, designed in the Beaux Arts style and equipped with cutting-edge technology for the time. For decades it was one of the most important newspapers in the world, on par with major publications such as The Times and The New York Times.

In addition to editorial and office space, the building housed free consulting rooms, a public library, and a hall open to conferences, concerts, and assemblies. In that Golden Hall, Jorge Luis Borges gave his first lecture, and the famous siren of the building announced historical events that were written on boards visible from the sidewalk, calling crowds to learn about news such as the arrival of man on the Moon, the World Cup '78, and the World Wars.

Over time, the property came into the hands of the State and in 1985 was declared a National Historical Monument. Restoration work recovered the splendor of the Golden Hall and its decorative details, filled with symbols many associate with Freemasonry and the freedom of the press ideas of José C. Paz. Today, as the Casa de la Cultura, the building remains a place where architecture, memory, and public life meet.

The Casa de la Cultura Today

The Casa de la Cultura today houses the Ministry of Culture of Buenos Aires and opens its halls to exhibitions, presentations, chamber concerts, festivals, guided tours, and institutional activities, which allow for the rediscovery of the building in full operation.

Its Heritage Importance

It is one of the most recognizable pieces of Avenida de Mayo and an emblem of Buenos Aires at the end of the 19th century. It brings together the history of journalism, monumental architecture, and civic tradition. As the Casa de la Cultura, it revitalizes that legacy and keeps alive a building that is part of the symbolic heritage of the city.