On this occasion, Adriana Claudia Cichero, a.k.a. “The Queen of Domes”, comes with some of her most interesting tips for travelers who seek to discover this capital city from its many terraces and rooftops
Photo: Buenos Aires desde el Cielo – Basílica Santa Rosa
W henever I get asked the reason why I admire Buenos Aires domes so much, I think how can anyone not love them?. They come in all shapes and styles. This city is the one with the largest number of domes. Actually, I dare say that Buenos Aires is the “The City of Domes in Latin America”.
Parabolic, semicircular, onion-shaped, towers, domes with a wide variety of finishings: some are even finished off with sculptures, like the one in the former Diario La Prensa, or the one in Club Español; others with cupolas or viewpoints, like the ones in Santa Rosa Church and the Otto Wulff building.
Architecture connoisseurs, naturally, may explore them more thoroughly. Amateurs, for their part, should know that Buenos Aires is the ideal scenario to learn about domes, or simply to enjoy sighting them. Regardless of your knowledge or experience, you are bound to fall for them.
The city alone is home to over 200 domes in the downtown area, the center and some of the barrios, while some other 100- with a diverse architectural style- are spread across other barrios. For those who wish to admire them, there are quite a few key sites with free access to the public. Here are some of my recommendations.
El Palacio Barolo
My big favorite. From its 100-meter-high viewpoint, one can appreciate a 360-degree view of the city and dozens of domes on Avenida de Mayo. It is open for guided visits from Wednesdays thru Sundays.
Location: Av. de Mayo 1370
Palacio Barolo. Photo: Adriana Cichero / La Reina de las Cúpulas
Galería Guemes Viewpoint
From this spot you may marvel at the 5 domes on the corner of Florida and Diagonal Norte streets. They may be visited from Monday thru Friday, from 10 am to 1 pm, and from 2 pm to 4:40 pm.
Location: Florida street 65, 14th floor.
Galería Guemes Viewpoint. Photo: Adriana Cichero / La Reina de las Cúpulas
Retiro’s Torre Monumental
This monument offers an amazing view of the surrounding area, which includes the domes of the Railway Terminal Station. It opens every day (except Tuesdays) from 11 am to 6 pm, with the last visit starting at 5:40 pm.
Location:Av. Dr. José Maria Ramos Mejía 1315
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Retiro’s Torre Monumental viewpoint. Photo: Adriana Cichero / La Reina de las Cúpulas
Areatec Art Space
Home not only to the works of diverse artists. When reaching the terrace, visitors will find a viewpoint over Avenida De Mayo and be able to take in, at the forefront, the domes of the former hotels Metropole and Paris, along with some more domes in the distance.
Location:Avenida de Mayo 1190
Areatec viewpoint. Photo: Adriana Cichero / La Reina de las Cúpulas
Buenos Aires Museum
Another vantage point based in the historic area of the city, which may be visited Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 7 pm, and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11 am to 8 pm. From its terrace it is possible to contemplate the towers and domes of the San Francisco de Asís Basílica and its convent.
Location: Defensa Street 187
Buenos Aires Museum
My favorite Rooftops
The ones I most cherish obviously offer good quality in their products, and most importantly, the view of diverse domes within a stunning scenery of the metropolis.
Salón 1923
This rooftop is divided into three different sectors: Terrazzo Obelisco, which faces to the South, boasts a view of the city’s skyline with the Obelisk and the famous Chalecito (detached house) high among the buildings on 9 de Julio Avenue. Spazio Interiore is a hall full of 1920 ‘s decor. Terrazzo Congreso, the third sector, is the one I find the most attractive. Going up some steps, visitors will find a fascinating panorama of the city, which includes Plaza Congreso, Confitería del Molino, and Edificio La Inmobiliaria. This viewpoint also offers the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen.
Location: Palacio Barolo, Avenida de Mayo 1370, 16th floor (accessible via an elevator for the first 14 floors, and a staircase for the last 2)
Rooftop Salón 1923
Dome Rooftop Bar
Based on the terrace of the Tango de Mayo Hotel, it is open from Tuesdays thru Saturdays, from 5 pm to midnight (only from September thru March). This is the ideal point from which to admire several domes, which seem to embrace the observers, given their proximity.
Location: Avenida de Mayo 1396
Dome Rooftop Bar
Rooftop Florida 165
In Rooftop Florida 165, which boasts an exclusive view of the corner of the five domes.
Location: Florida 165
Rooftop Florida 165. Photo: Adriana Cichero / La Reina de las Cúpulas
Plaza de Mayo Rooftop:
This site lies on the terrace of Pasaje Roverano and its access is limited to private events, which are advertised on its social media platforms. The main stars of this vantage point include buildings like the Buenos Aires City Legislature, the former Palacio Municipal and the former Diario La Prensa.
Location: Avenida de Mayo 560.
Rooftop Plaza de Mayo viewpoint. Photo: Adriana Cichero / La Reina de las Cúpulas
Argentina On The Go, Local Knowledge
It has been a great honor to have Adriana Claudia Chichero share all these tips with us today!
If you wish to know some more about her work, you may follow her on her account on Instagram (@lareinadelascupulas), which, incidentally, has been listed as a cultural heritage account (being the first in “architectural dissemination”) by the Buenos Aires City Legislature.
Finally, if you are looking for details about the above-mentioned sites and/ or wish to schedule a visit to one of them, please remember your Argentina On The Go agent will gladly assist you.
