No trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina is complete without a visit to its most iconic and photographed building: La Casa Rosada, or the Pink House in English, which has been declared a National Historic Monument. It is the executive mansion and office of the President of Argentina. Personally, I think it is a work of art and not just because its facade is painted my favorite color.
It is located at the eastern end of Plaza de Mayo, an enormous square that is surrounded by most of the important political institutions of Argentina. It was designed by a British architect with Italianate structure in mind.
There are two theories as to why it is pink. Some people believe that the President during its time of construction chose this color scheme in order to defuse political tension by blending the country’s opposing political parties colors of white and red. Other people believe the original paint that was used contained cow blood to prevent damage from humidity.
While many tourists think that the President lives there, the truth is that he or she lives in an official residence in Olivos, a province of Buenos Aires. However, the President does spend a lot of time in La Casa Rosada. I happen to know this, because my husband, Lucas, used to be a Granadero, a member of the Argentinean army whose job is to directly protect the President. The balcony pictured below is known as “Evita’s balcony” due to her many documented appearances there where she would address large crowds in the square.
La Casa Rosada has a museum inside of it, which contains various objects relating to former Presidents. Parts of it even extend underground into basements of surrounding buildings and you can stand on the exact same balcony that Evita stood on. Every hour on the hour you can also watch a changing of the guards.
I love the colour – it looks like it makes a building that would have been nice, but nothing spectacular, stand out. Although it seemed a little less girly and pretty when I got to the part where you mentioned that the colour might have been achieved thorough cow’s blood – that kind of changes the effect haha.
Yes, I totally agree about the color and with your thoughts about the cows blood haha!
Such a beautiful place. There is Pink City (Jaipur) in India. The city was painted pink to welcome Prince of Wales. Maybe La Casa Rosada was painted pink to welcome someone…
I have been to Jaipur and I absolutely loooooved it!!! I hope that’s why LCR was painted pink. That would be a beautiful reason. 🙂
One day I’ll see this for myself. I’ve seen so many photographs. Pink…hmmmm…I’m not a pink girl, but maybe seeing it in person may change my feelings.
You’ll have to let me know what you think when you finally see it in person!
Just stunning!!!!! I’d love to visit Buenos Aires among many other places. =)
I hope you can, I know you’d LOVE it!!!
Wow – it is quite pink!
I think it’s neat and original. I’m undecided about the pink lighting though!
Haha yes quite pink! Yeah, the lighting is really intense.
I think any colourful buildings add character and intrigue to city scapes! I think it’s beautiful 🙂
I couldn’t agree more darling!
Wow! That is a very pink building. 🙂 But I like it. I think it makes for an interesting diversion from the blah of plain marble or sandstone. 🙂
Yesssss! I totally agree!!!
I only saw it in the daytime, but I agree with Jay…the pink lighting is a bit bizarre!
And, it doesn’t hurt that the President is currently a lady 😉
Hahaha true about it working for a female President! I like the pink lighting, because I love pink, but maybe they should tone it down just a bit?
My favorite part of the Casa Rosada is that it makes a great backdrop to all the protest signs 🙂
Yes yes yes!
Seriously, what photos you took!
Thanks Lisa!!!
It’s like a great big Barbie house! Although Ms. Cristina is not too popular in Spain right now…
Hahaha yes definitely looks like a Barbie house! Ms. Cristina is not popular anywhere I don’t think??? My husband despises the ground she walks on.
I love the pink – especially the pink lighting at night time!
Oooh you’re the 1st to say that. Yay!!!
It’s fabulous! Every president’s office should be in a pink building. I think we’d have less wars 😉
I LOVE this idea, brilliant!
I think the pink is truly beautiful, and very unique:-) I love learning something from you. How fun to see where Evita stood, I totally recognized the window right away:-) Beautiful post, Hugs, Terra
Awww you always leave the best comments! I’m glad that we agree on the pink!!! XO
OMG that is my dream house…. is it for sale? I love pink!!!! 🙂
Hahahaha if it were for sale I’m sure it would be VERY expensive! 😉 It’s my dream house too!!!
What an interesting story!
You know that reminded me of the Rothaus in Berlin which is literally the red house. La Casa Rosada is way more beautiful though.
I too agree that it looks great illuminated at night!
Hope to visit someday 😉
P.S: totally love the photo of the balcony & the waving flag (last pic)
I have never heard of the Rothaus, I will have to google it. Isn’t LCR sooo beautiful??? XO
LOVE IT!
Yay me too! 🙂
Beautiful!!! And such lovely history behind it. Definitely not an eyesore – I like the idea of blending the white and red parties – makes me wonder if the White House would ever be painted purple 🙂
I love it! We should start a purple revolution!!!
I love the pink…It’s interesting how they added pink lighting though. I think that the pink paint is very South American and tropical so it’s perfect. I noticed political graffiti in that first picture, how interesting!
Yes, there are a lot of demonstrations around the Pink House. I like how they allow for that! And I think it’s perfect too.
I think I walked past it when I went to BA about 5 years ago, but I don’t think there were these pink lights. Looks stunning!
No, the pink lights are definitely new!
Wow what an interesting building!
Interesting good or bad haha?
I think it kicks butt!
Me too!
What a cool building! I love the theories on why it’s pink, though the idea of cow blood in paint is kind of disgusting… Let’s hope the first theory is correct. 🙂
Yes, fingers crossed!!!
La Casa Rosada looks so beautiful, nice photos by the way!
Thank you so much!
I absolutely love the pink color! What a beautiful building and the second to last photo of it all lit up at night is my favorite. I really hope to visit Argentina some day soon.
I hope you can visit too, as I know you will fall in love with it. I’m so happy you like the pink color!!! 🙂
That is stunning/ I love that it is pink!
I agree!!! So stunning!
I adore this building and these photos!
Meeeeee too! Maybe that’s one of the reasons why we’re such good friends haha!!!
Thanks for the great post!
You’re welcome Ted!
I’ve never seen it all lit up! I love it!
OMG I’m shocked! For some reason I thought of all of my readers you would be the one to say it’s an eye sore. I love that you love it!!!
I am not a huge fan of pink (Andi don’t de-friend me!) but I can’t help admit the building is beautiful!
I would never, ever defriend you!!!! 🙂