La Penitenciaría, Former detention center in Mendoza, Argentina.
La Penitenciaría is a former detention facility located on Avenida Boulogne Sur Mer that operated for several decades as a correctional institution and clandestine detention center during periods of political repression in Argentina.
Constructed in 1905 with foundation stone laid on land donated by Emilio Civit, this facility represented the first modern penitentiary design in Argentina based on humane treatment principles and radial architectural planning inspired by panopticon models.
The site serves as a memorial space dedicated to preserving the memory of human rights violations and political repression that occurred during the twentieth century, promoting education and reflection on civil liberties and justice in Argentine society.
The facility is open to visitors Monday through Friday from eight in the morning until six in the evening and is located at Avenida Boulogne Sur Mer 2136 with postal code M5500CRA.
The penitentiary features a radial architectural layout designed by Italian engineer Pompeyo Moneta that adopted panopticon principles with central surveillance tower allowing guards to monitor all cell blocks from a single observation point.
Location: Ciudad de Mendoza
Address: Av. Boulogne Sur Mer 2136, M5500CRA Mendoza, Argentina
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 08:00-18:00
Phone: +542614136100
GPS coordinates: -32.87501,-68.85909
Latest update: November 22, 2025 12:16
This collection brings together penal institutions that have marked the history of incarceration worldwide through their architecture, detention conditions, or roles in major historical events. From the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba, established in 2002 for holding individuals suspected of...
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