ESMA Museum and Site of Memory – Former Clandestine Center of Detention, Torture and Extermination, Memorial museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Museo Sitio de Memoria ESMA is housed in a former Naval School building in Buenos Aires that functioned as a clandestine detention center during military rule from 1976 to 1983. The structure contains the actual rooms and areas where thousands of people were held, all arranged as they existed during that time.
Built in the 1930s as a residence for Navy officers, the building was transformed into a secret prison during the military government. Following the end of military rule, it became a memorial in 2000 and was later converted into a museum to preserve memory of those who were detained.
The site is called 'Sitio de Memoria' (Memory Site), keeping the original rooms and cells visible as they were during detention. Visitors walk through spaces where prisoners were held, and the preserved environment conveys the reality of daily life in captivity.
The museum is located in the northwestern zone of Buenos Aires and is accessible by public transportation or taxi. Plan to spend 2 to 3 hours for a complete visit, and taking a guided tour is strongly recommended to understand the historical context more fully.
The building maintains its status as judicial evidence in ongoing court proceedings, meaning some areas may be closed to visitors at times. This legal distinction makes it a living monument that continues to serve the pursuit of justice.
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