Casa de Hernández, Colonial house in Salta Province, Argentina.
Casa de Hernández is a colonial house in Salta, Argentina, located near Plaza 9 de Julio and distinguished by thick whitewashed walls, wooden openings, and a traditional corniced entrance decorated with pilasters. The structure displays original colonial craftsmanship across both floors, with ceramic tile flooring, wooden beams, and traditional roof tiles throughout.
Built in 1780 at the corner of today's La Florida and Alvarado streets, formerly del Orden and del Buen Retiro, the house is attributed to Captain Juan Hernández y Enríquez. It was declared a National Historic Monument by Decree 1739/79 and became the City Museum in 1988.
The name may come from Antonio Hernández, who ran a pulpería facing the house, or from its builder, Captain Juan Hernández y Enríquez. On the ground floor, the Sala Güemes holds musical instruments of the 18th to 20th centuries, and the Sala María Teresa Cadena de Hessling hosts temporary shows. A library there specialises in General Martín Miguel de Güemes, Salta's history and Salta authors.
Casa de Hernández stands at the corner of La Florida and Alvarado streets in Salta's centre. The ground floor holds the Sala Güemes and the Sala María Teresa Cadena de Hessling, while the Sala de Intendentes occupies the upper floor. A library on General Martín Miguel de Güemes and Salta history is also inside.
The house features two corner entrance doors and balconies at this strategic position, hinting at its commercial past during the colonial period. This dual-entry arrangement was typical of buildings that combined trade with residential use.
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