Società Unione Operai Italiani, Italian workers association building in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Società Unione Operai Italiani is an Art Nouveau building in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a decorated facade and ornate interior halls. Its main hall features 19th-century ceiling paintings and grand architectural details throughout.
The association was founded in 1874 and established the first Italian primary school for girls in Buenos Aires in 1876. Architect Virginio Colombo redesigned the facade in 1913 to narrate the community's story.
The main hall ceiling paintings show scenes of Italian-Argentine worker culture and traditions that took root in South America. These artworks serve as a visual record of the community's identity.
The building is located at Sarmiento 1374 and received heritage protection status in 2008. Visitors should check beforehand about access, as it remains a private building with limited public visiting hours.
The facade was designed as a form of secular altarpiece, with sculptural details representing the values and struggles of Italian workers. This approach was uncommon for a workers association building and made it a public statement.
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