Palacio Fuentes, Beaux-Arts palace in central Rosario, Argentina.
Palacio Fuentes is a beaux-arts building at the corner of Santa Fe and Sarmiento streets in central Rosario, Argentina. The facades carry reliefs, sculptures, and large copper lanterns, while the interior holds shops, offices, and apartments spread across several floors.
Spanish immigrant Juan Fuentes Echeverria commissioned architect Juan Bautista Durand to design the building, which was completed between 1923 and 1927. It was built as a visible sign of the success its owner had achieved through trade and agriculture in Argentina.
The central tower carries a four-sided clock topped with a weathervane shaped like a plow, pointing to the farming origins of its builder's wealth. This detail is visible from the street and gives the building a personal character that sets it apart from other buildings of the same style in the city.
The ground floor and mezzanine are accessible through an ornate brass entrance gate, while the upper floors have their own separate entrances. A visit works best during the day, when the shops are open and the building can be seen in full activity.
The basement of the building holds the International Museum for Democracy, which presents exhibitions on the history of democracy in Argentina and around the world. It is an unexpected place for such a museum, as nothing about the building's exterior suggests a cultural institution of this kind.
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