Casa Mínima: Buenos Aires' Narrowest House

Tucked away in the historic San Telmo district, Casa Mínima stands as a quirky testament to Buenos Aires's architectural history. This incredibly narrow house, located at Pasaje San Lorenzo 380, measures a mere 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in width, earning it the title of the city's narrowest house. Casa Mínima's origins are shrouded in local legend. The most popular story suggests it was built in the early 1800s and given to a freed slave after Argentina's abolition of slavery. While this tale adds a layer of intrigue, historical studies suggest a more prosaic explanation: the house is a remnant of a larger property that was gradually subdivided. Over time, the divisions resulted in this unusually slender slice of land, which was then developed into a small, standalone dwelling. Despite its diminutive size, Casa Mínima is a captivating sight. Its simple facade features a green wooden door and a tiny second-floor balcony with iron railings. The building's white paint peels away in places, revealing the original clay bricks beneath, adding to its rustic charm. While the house is a private property and not open for interior visits, it remains a popular spot for photographs and a reminder of San Telmo's resourceful early residents. The house is often visited as part of a tour that includes the adjacent El Zanjón de Granados, offering a broader perspective on the history of the area.