Fernández Anchorena Palace
Encyclopedia
The Fernández Anchorena Palace is an architecturally significant former residence in the Recoleta
section of Buenos Aires
, Argentina
. Today, it serves as the Apostolic Nunciature in Argentina
.
architect. Designed in 1907 in the Second Empire style favored among Argentine high society at the time, the palace was completed in 1909, though the couple never inhabited the Alvear Avenue
landmark.
The family made the mansion available for social occasions and public ceremonies in subsequent years; from 1922 to 1928, most notably, it served as the official residence to the President of Argentina, Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
, and his wife, the opera chanteuse Regina Pacini de Alvear.
The mansion was sold to Adelia María Harilaos de Olmos, the widow of prominent Córdoba Province
landowner Ambrosio Harilaos de Olmos, in 1940. The founder of the Catholic Ladies' League and financier of a working women's assistance fund, a number of churches and a hospital pavilion bequeathed the residence to the Holy See
, in 1947. Upon her death in 1949, it became the Apostolic Nunciature in Argentina; the Pope at the time, Pius XII, had been a guest of hers (as Cardinal Pacelli) for his stay in Buenos Aires on occasion of the Eucharistic Congress held in 1934.
Recoleta
Recoleta is a downtown residential neighborhood in the city of Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina; it is an area of great historical and architectural interest, due, particularly to the Recoleta Cemetery located there...
section of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. Today, it serves as the Apostolic Nunciature in Argentina
Apostolic Nuncio to Argentina
The Apostolic Nuncio to Argentina is the principal representative of the Holy See to the Government of Argentina. The nunciature is at the Fernández Anchorena Palace, in Buenos Aires.-Apostolic Nuncio to Argentina:*Antonio Sabatucci...
.
Overview
The mansion was commissioned by Juan Antonio Fernández and his wife, Rosa de Anchorena, to Eduardo Le Monnier (18731931), a French ArgentineFrench Argentine
A French Argentine is an Argentine citizen of full or partial French ancestry. French Argentines form the third or fourth largest ancestry group after Italian Argentines, Spanish Argentines, and perhaps German Argentines...
architect. Designed in 1907 in the Second Empire style favored among Argentine high society at the time, the palace was completed in 1909, though the couple never inhabited the Alvear Avenue
Avenida Alvear
Avenida Alvear is an upscale thoroughfare in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Located in the neighbourhood of Recoleta, it extends for seven blocks, from the Plazoleta Carlos Pellegrini to Alvear Plaza...
landmark.
The family made the mansion available for social occasions and public ceremonies in subsequent years; from 1922 to 1928, most notably, it served as the official residence to the President of Argentina, Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
Máximo Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear Pacheco , better known as Marcelo T. de Alvear was an Argentine politician and President of Argentina from October 12, 1922 to October 12, 1928.-Biography:...
, and his wife, the opera chanteuse Regina Pacini de Alvear.
The mansion was sold to Adelia María Harilaos de Olmos, the widow of prominent Córdoba Province
Córdoba Province (Argentina)
Córdoba is a province of Argentina, located in the center of the country. Neighboring provinces are : Santiago del Estero, Santa Fe, Buenos Aires, La Pampa, San Luis, La Rioja and Catamarca...
landowner Ambrosio Harilaos de Olmos, in 1940. The founder of the Catholic Ladies' League and financier of a working women's assistance fund, a number of churches and a hospital pavilion bequeathed the residence to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, in 1947. Upon her death in 1949, it became the Apostolic Nunciature in Argentina; the Pope at the time, Pius XII, had been a guest of hers (as Cardinal Pacelli) for his stay in Buenos Aires on occasion of the Eucharistic Congress held in 1934.