Pasaje Belgrano

Useful Information

Location:	373 Bolívar Street, C1066 CABA. (-34.612169, -58.373414)
Open:	All year daily. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Enigmatic Cavern
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Pasaje Belgrano, 373 Bolívar Street, C1066 CABA, Tel: +54-11-5352-6999, WSP: +54-11-6672-9000. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

19th century	Martín Gregorio de Álzaga aquires a plot of land to build a series of buildings for rent, with a narrow internal passage.
2005	beginning of archaeological excavation and remodeling.
2017	part of the art circuit of the city of Buenos Aires.

Description

Pasaje Belgrano (Belgrano passage) is located under Casa Lepage, which is today an Art Hotel. Martín Gregorio de Álzaga aquired a plot of land in the mid-19th century, to build a series of buildings for rent, with a narrow internal passage. It was accessed from both Bolívar and Belgrano streets. In 1900 a cinematographic apparatus projected the first film in Argentina, which showed the visit of Brazilian President Campos Salle to Argentine Julio A. Roca. There is a plaque which commemorates it. At this time the premises belonged to the pioneer of photography Enrique Lepage. The passage is part of the art circuit of the city of Buenos Aires since 2017. It is used for concerts, performances, art exhibitions and cultural activities.

The passage below was excavated since 2005 and remains of a wall from the 16th century and one from the 17th century was discovered. There was also indigenous ceramics from the 17th century. The underground part is called the Museo de Sitio and contains an exhibition dedicated to the history of the City of Buenos Aires. It reconstructs the complex history of the building and the site that houses it. More than 300 m² are dedicated to an exhibition of archaeological finds. It is open to the public since 2017.

Today visitors of the hotel lobby can see the tunnel though a glass floor. The ground floor is the lobby and at the same time an art gallery. So in a way this is the tunnel which is the easiest to visit, the hotel is open daily and all you have to do is walk in and be friendly with the hotel staff. Hotel guests have unlimited access to the museum, while visitors can take guided tours by reservation. The hotel also offers stylish rooms in a classy boutique hotel with museum and Peruvian restaurant in chic industrial style.