Pissurno Palace

Pissureno Palace is one of the most important buildings of the Recoleta district, in the capital Buenos Aires. This palace is home to the Ministry of Education of Argentina and the National Library of Education with a very rich literary fund. In 2006, the building and its surroundings were declared a national treasure.

The Versailles-style palace, with characteristic wide mansards, was erected between 1886 and 1888 by architect Carlos Adolfo Althelt, who collaborated with his cousin Hans Althelt. Carlos was the main developer of the project, and he was the chief designer of the construction process. The area where the palace was built belonged to the father of Mrs. Petronili Rodriguez, who inherited it. In 1882, Petronila died and she bequeathed this building to the city.

First there was a temple and a school for girls. Then a huge library, several classrooms and a museum were built. In its vicinity you can see the Little Piazza Petronili Rodriguez and the Square “Garden of Teachers”. The palace is named after the educator Pablo Pissureno, who laid the main foundations of the national system for primary education. Currently, the Pissurno Palace houses an art gallery, established in 1935, with works by Argentine artists, and the National Library of Teachers.