In every corner of the Casa de Tucumán you can breathe history and this is due, nothing more and nothing less, for being the cradle of the Independence of the Argentine Republic.
Currently, it is the traditional center for celebrations every July 9 and works as a museum, where costumes and furniture of the time are exhibited.
We want to tell you all the details and curiosities of the Casa de Tucumán, so that you travel through time with
Tangol. Are you accompanying us?
Story: What happened in the Casa de Tucumán?
In 1816, in the province of Tucumán, this house was assigned for the sessions of the Congress of Tucumán and it was there that the representatives of each province met on July 9 of the same year to sign an act declaring the Independence of the current Argentine Republic of the Spanish crown.
If you are interested in learning more about the curiosities and history of this emblematic construction, I recommend the
Historical Tour of Tucumán, where together
with a guide you will be able to know in depth the roots of modern Argentine history and will help you understand the fundamentals of those decisive moments through a circuit inside and outside the Casa de Tucumán. In addition, you will visit the historic center, the Lillo Museum of Natural Sciences, the Casa Belgraniana (a space that explains how the road to independence was) and they will take you to Villa Nougués and San Javier to get closer to Christ Blessing, where you can get the best views of the city. At the Sol San Javier restaurant, the cook welcomes you, who will teach you the secrets of the "empanadas from Tucumán" before tasting them with a delicious glass of house wine.
During this 9-hour excursion with transfers included, you will also visit the Yerba Buena neighborhood.
How was the Casa de Tucuman in 1816?
Originally, the house was on one floor, very solid like all the architectures of that time, and had a patio surrounded by rooms for service personnel. Two of these rooms parallel to the façade were adapted for Congress meetings, thus demolishing a dividing wall to transform them into a room 15 meters long and 6 meters wide.
On the other hand, the house had a wooden gate in the center, twisted columns and on each side of the gate, barred windows.
The Great Room was divided into two, where its largest part functioned as a dining room. In addition, there was a door that led to the first patio and another that led to the second patio and a smaller space that apparently functioned as a kitchen.
In this courtyard, there were the bathrooms and other dependencies that no longer exist and in front of the two rooms that we mentioned earlier, there was a well with a curb.
Its decline
Did you know that the Casa de Tucuman was almost entirely demolished? This was due to several reasons: when Congress moved to Buenos Aires, the house was returned to its owners and when it was used for various things, it began to deteriorate. For this reason, the Zavalías (owners) demolished the patio buildings to give it a more modern style.
Then, in 1874, the Casa de Tucuman was totally acquired by the National State, who gave it to the post office and later to the telegraph service. It is important to mention that the government did not contribute to the maintenance of the place until 1903, and due to its poor condition, they had to go almost to the total demolition.
The only part of the building that was saved was the Jura de la Independencia Hall.
Its reconstruction
Fortunately, in 1941 the Casa de Tucumán was declared a National Historic Monument and from there, a project was carried out to rebuild the site as it was at the time of the Congress of Tucumán.
The work began in 1942 and was inaugurated the following year, on September 24.
Other important events at the Casa de Tucumán
During Peronism, on July 9, 1971, President Juan Domingo Perón declared the economic independence of Argentina in this place, giving the news of the cancellation of the foreign debt.
In 1976, the land was acquired with the Casa de Tucumán with the idea of building an auxiliary building that was not finally realized and years later it was destined for public space under the name "Plaza de los Congresales".
Finally, in 1996 the color of the doors and windows was changed from wood to blue. The reason for this modification is due to a historical investigation that found that in 1816, the provincial government had bought paint of this tone for the same purpose.
Guided tours in the Casa de Tucumán
It is a tour of the entire exhibition by the hand of a Museum staff who provides information on every corner of the Historic House.
In addition, there are special school visits.
Visiting hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 10:30 - 12:30 - 16:30
- Saturdays: flexible hours depends on the number of people
- Sundays closed
- In July there are no guided tours
- For school visits, you must request a shift and they are given from Monday to Friday morning shift at 10:45 and 11:45 or afternoon shift at 2:45 and 3:45 p.m.
One way to add more knowledge about the culture and history of this beautiful destination is by hiring the
Tucumán City Tour, they will take you through the most emblematic places such as La Plaza Independencia, the Government House, the Temple of San Francisco, the Cathedral Church, the Museum of the Sugar Industry, the Casa deTucumán, the 9 de Julio Park, Urquiza Square: the Legislature, the Casino, the San Martín Theater, the National School and the Belgraniana House. During this 4-hour excursion with transfers included, you will also visit the Yerba Buena neighborhood.
The House Museum accessible to everyone
To facilitate the facilities, tours and activities, the museum has at its disposal:
- Personnel trained in sign language
- Wheelchairs, walkers and sound equipment
- Entry with guide dogs is allowed
- Braille transcription of the posters in the museum
- Mobile ramps
Your show and virtual tour
The interactive show managed by Ente Tucumán Turismo was created with the idea of showing the historical moments that led to the Declaration of Independence and the act of its approval, through images and sounds.
On the other hand, if you have not yet had the opportunity to see this place in person, there is a 360-degree virtual tour by a photographer from Tucumán that will allow you, through
Google Maps, to see the corners of this historic Argentine house. I lived the experience!