Exploring Palacio Barolo: Buenos Aires’ Remarkable Dante-Inspired Landmark - Buenos Aires Part 3 of 5

Rising 100 meters above Buenos Aires, Palacio Barolo is far more than an impressive historic office building. Designed by Italian-Argentine architect Mario Palanti for Italian immigrant and businessman Luigi Barolo, the building is a fascinating architectural tribute to Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.

Luigi Barolo immigrated to Argentina in 1890 and went on to become a highly successful businessman. He obtained a special concession to construct the 24-story building, which became the tallest building in South America when it was inaugurated in 1923.

From the beginning, Palacio Barolo was designed to be extraordinary. It was the first reinforced-concrete building in Argentina and contains approximately 1,410 marble-covered steps, granite walls and columns, and nine old-fashioned elevators.

Even more fascinating is the building’s connection to Dante’s masterpiece.

A Building Inspired by the Divine Comedy

Palacio Barolo’s architecture incorporates numerous references to The Divine Comedy, beginning with its division into three sections representing Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.

The building’s 100-meter height corresponds to the 100 cantos of Dante’s poem, while countless architectural details incorporate symbolic references. Gargoyles, dragons, condors, geometric designs, and more than a dozen Latin inscriptions are scattered throughout the building.

At the very top is one of Palacio Barolo’s most recognizable features: a powerful rotating beacon. Originally equipped with an enormous collection of light-producing elements, the beacon was designed to make the building visible from across the Río de la Plata in Uruguay.

Our Visit to Palacio Barolo

We visited Palacio Barolo on February 19, 2023, as part of a guided tour.

For me, the lobby was by far the most impressive interior space from an architectural perspective. The ornate details and dramatic design immediately captured my attention. The upper floors, by comparison, are much more functional, consisting largely of hallways and offices.

Our tour included both elevators and stairs, eventually taking us toward the top of the building. The final climb was quite an experience.

We squeezed through the narrow spiral staircase leading toward the beacon. The space became increasingly tight, and at times the stairs felt almost claustrophobic. The bright beacon at the top was incredibly intense, and because the space is so small, our tour group had to split into two groups before everyone could enter.

This portion of the tour may not be comfortable or accessible for everyone, particularly visitors with certain health or mobility concerns. Be prepared for narrow stairs and tight spaces if you want to reach the very top.

Once we reached the beacon, however, the experience was worth the climb.

Through the glass windows surrounding the light, we could see Buenos Aires spread out below us. The light and architectural details created some fascinating reflections, including a particularly cool reflection of the building’s bat symbol.

After leaving the beacon, we climbed back down to an open balcony with spectacular views across Buenos Aires.

And the timing couldn’t have been better.

The sun was beginning to set, bathing the city in beautiful evening light. For me, this was the highlight of the entire tour. I was able to photograph Buenos Aires from high above the city as the skyline slowly transformed with the setting sun.

It was one of those travel moments when the timing, location, and scenery all came together perfectly.

This was Part 3 of 5 in the post series exploring the city of Buenos Aires. Continue to Part 4: The Cathedral of Buenos Aires

If You Go

Location: Palacio Barolo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Opened: 1923.
Architecture: Designed by Mario Palanti and inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.
Height: Approximately 100 meters.
Tours: Visitors must join a guided tour; independent visits are not permitted.
Book Ahead: Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, particularly during the busy tourist season.
Best Time to Visit: I highly recommend booking a sunset tour if photography and city views are important to you. Sunset tickets cost a little more but offer spectacular views.
Sunset Perk: Our sunset tour included a glass of wine and crackers at the end, which was a lovely way to finish the experience.
Accessibility: Reaching the beacon involves narrow spiral stairs and very tight spaces. Visitors with mobility or health concerns should consider whether the climb is suitable for them.
Photography: Bring your camera! The upper balcony provides fantastic panoramic views of Buenos Aires, particularly around sunset.