National Museum of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires (must see)

The National Museum of Fine Arts is one of Buenos Aires’ most important cultural institutions and a central stop in the Recoleta neighbourhood. It was established in 1896 and, after occupying several locations, moved into its current building in 1933. The structure was originally built in 1870 as a water-pumping station serving the city and was later remodelled to accommodate the museum’s rapidly expanding collection. Its restrained exterior reflects its industrial origins, while the interior was carefully adapted to create clear, well-lit gallery spaces.

The museum is best known for its outstanding permanent collection, considered one of the finest in Latin America. Finding your way through it is quite straightforward. As you step into the museum, walk straight ahead, climb a short flight of stairs, then continue forward until you pass through a rectangular gateway. Here, on the ground floor, you will encounter the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Gallery, along with 19th-century Argentine art. The former’s anchors are Claude Monet’s The Bridge at Argenteuil and Vincent van Gogh’s The Windmill of the Galette. Argentine art is mainly represented by Cândido López’s panoramas—long, narrow paintings depicting scenes from the Paraguayan War with remarkable detail. Because López painted them with his left hand after losing his right arm in battle, the works have a distinctive, almost miniature-like perspective. These two galleries are easy to visit together, as they are laid out in a loop on the ground floor.

Apart from the permanent exhibition, temporary exhibitions rotate every three to six months, adding fresh perspectives and focused themes to the visit. Beyond the exhibition spaces, the museum also houses a specialised art library, a public auditorium used for lectures and cultural events, and a gift shop open during museum hours.