Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo


This museum is housed in the stunning beaux-arts Residencia Errázuriz Alvear mansion (1917), once the residence of Chilean aristocrat couple Matías Errázuriz and Josefina de Alvear. It now displays their art collection and other extravagant belongings, and is worth visiting for a glimpse into the world of Argentina's wealthy aristocratic families in the early 20th century, for whom these grand palaces with their elaborate marble staircases and ballrooms inspired by the Palace of Versailles were a status symbol.

Everything from renaissance religious paintings and porcelain dishes to Italian sculptures and period furniture was owned by Errázuriz and de Alvear, and some artwork by El Greco, Manet and Rodin can also be seen. Don't miss the wood-paneled Gothic-style central hall, created to complement the style of the religious tapestries it houses; concerts are sometimes held here. There are guided tours in English at 1:30pm Tuesday through Friday.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Biblioteca Nacional

0.21 MILES

Argentina's national library dates back to 1810 and was founded in the wake of the May revolution by the country's first government, for whom access to…

2. Museo de Arte Popular José Hernández

0.32 MILES

This small museum exhibits both traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, mostly from Argentina. Expect to see intricate gaucho-related silverwork…

3. Floralis Genérica

0.41 MILES

This gargantuan flower sculpture, located in the center of Plaza Naciones Unidas, is the inspired creation of architect Eduardo Catalano, who designed and…

5. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

0.48 MILES

This is Argentina’s most important fine arts museum, containing many key works by Benito Quinquela Martín, Xul Solar, Eduardo Sívori and other Argentine…

6. Facultad de Ingeniería

0.48 MILES

This neo-Gothic building (1912), designed by Uruguayan architect Arturo Prins, is an architectural landmark.

7. Museo Participativo de Ciencias

0.57 MILES

This hands-on science museum designed with children in mind has interactive displays with plenty of levers to pull and buttons to press. A great place for…

8. Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

0.6 MILES

The centerpiece of this gleaming white colonial church, built by Franciscans in 1732, is a Peruvian altar adorned with silver from Argentina’s northwest…