Palacio San Jose, Litoral, Argentina

5derbunker 5:00 PM May 14, 2017

A place to see European craftamanship in the Argetine countryside
This place was the residence of Justo José de Urquiza who the first constitutional president of Argentina. He also was a wealthy landowner, rancher and industrialist. This place is locate not far from the shores of the Uruguay River that it the border between Argentina and Uruguay. The architecture of the building is typical of the Argentine estancias, a main entry into an inside patio surrounded by rooms on all four sides, which reflects teh Italian influence in architecture. European masters, resulting in Italian and French designs visible everywhere, built this “palace” in 1854. The house had internal bathrooms with hot running water, illumination by carbide gas, later changed to electrical. Carrara marble everywhere, the internal décor of the walls of the room vary from English (man’s parlor) to French (woman’s parlor) or living room. Floors are of marble or red French tiles. A everything came from Europe including a Carrara marble sculptures well. The gardens are typically French, similar to Versailles, including a two city blocks size pools built with brick walls. We have visited many residences, palaces in Europe and we were truly surprised to find such degree of refinement in the middle of the subtropical sabana in Argentina. If you are around the area it worth to drive the few extra miles to see this jewel. Is about six kilometers from a very good freeway connecting the area with Buenos Aires; about 3.5 hours drive.

4Marta B 5:00 PM Mar 8, 2019

Awesome place amidst nothing
Very interesting property, pioneering potable water supply and electricity in a distant location. Pieces of Argentine history mixed with European architecture and fashion, depicts a "bon vivant" in every way. Interesting place full of historical evidence with traces of politics and tragedy.