Galería del Viejo Hotel

San Telmo
With more than 110 years, hidden in the oldest street of the city, is the Gallery of the Old Hotel. Located in Balcarce 1053, its façade well conceals the years and the history behind this mythical building, which had a long journey to become a landmark of the art of San Telmo.

As its name indicates, in its beginnings it was a hotel inhabited by immigrants until, with the arrival of yellow fever, it became a hospital. Then it returned to its former functions as a boarding house and tenement and, finally, in 1979 it became an art gallery and atelier of painters and sculptors where antiques and music are never lacking.

Although its façade was modified, the interior maintains that characteristic colonial style thanks to the preservation of the patio, the threshold and the original lanterns from Italy. The building has two floors, 66 rooms and a beautiful Spanish-style patio that attracts attention from the sidewalk and invites you to enter. This picturesque green lung preserves the original tiles, a yellow and black checkerboard floor, and the galleries are decorated with huge ferns and mallow trees that give life and color to this ancient construction.

Currently, the patios and rooms are antique shops, ateliers, literary or music workshops and a tango school. In addition, at the entrance there is a bar-restaurant where you can enjoy delicious empanadas with wine or beer while enjoying the shows and live music.

The place also offers a beautiful view: from the first floor you can see the towers of the San Pedro González Telmo Church, a building of invaluable historical and architectural value.

Photo: alanajcoates.com