Maritime Museum at the Presidio of Ushuaia, Maritime and prison museum in Ushuaia, Argentina
The Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia occupies the former Tierra del Fuego prison, a large complex of several wings built from 1902 and enlarged over time. It now holds four museums: the maritime museum with ship models and maps, the prison museum in Pavilion IV, the José María Sobral Antarctic Museum with 19 rooms on the upper floor of Pavilion IV, and the marine art museum.
The building served as Argentina's southernmost prison from 1902 to 1947 before being converted into a museum. It gained National Historic Monument status in 1997.
The museum displays the seafaring traditions of Tierra del Fuego, including a reconstructed Yámana canoe and exhibits about how indigenous people practiced navigation and fishing. Visitors can see how the earliest inhabitants adapted their lives to the harsh marine environment.
Visitors can purchase two-day passes that provide access to all exhibitions across the different buildings. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as exploring multiple structures involves moving between separate areas.
The collection includes marine art dating from 1889 with works by Argentine artists such as Quinquela Martín and Fortunato Lacamera. These artworks offer an artistic perspective on the region's maritime heritage and traditions.
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