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Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum: A Glimpse into Argentine Art and History

Explore Argentine fine art within a stunning Art Nouveau villa, a National Monument in Mar del Plata's prestigious Stella Maris Hill.

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Housed in the stunning Villa Ortiz Basualdo, a National Monument, the Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum in Mar del Plata showcases a diverse collection of Argentine art within an architectural gem reminiscent of French castles.

A brief summary to Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum

  • Monday 2 pm-7 pm
  • Wednesday 2 pm-7 pm
  • Thursday 2 pm-7 pm
  • Friday 2 pm-7 pm
  • Saturday 4 pm-9 pm
  • Sunday 2 pm-7 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on weekdays for a less crowded experience.
  • Check the museum's website for temporary exhibitions and special events.
  • Explore the Stella Maris Hill area, known for its picturesque views and architecture.
  • Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully appreciate the art and the villa's architecture.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Casino Central, walk north along Boulevard Marítimo Patricio Peralta Ramos. Continue for approximately 1.2 km. Turn right onto Av. Colón. The museum will be on your left in about 100m. The walk is mostly flat and takes about 15-20 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Several bus lines stop near the museum. From the city center, take any bus that travels along Av. Colón. Check local bus routes and schedules for the most convenient option. A single bus fare within the city typically costs around ARS 50-100, depending on the distance and current rates.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available in Mar del Plata. A short taxi ride from the city center to the museum (approximately 2-3 km) will cost around ARS 800-1500, depending on traffic and the time of day. Confirm the fare with the driver or check the app estimate before starting your trip.

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Discover more about Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum

The Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum is the premier fine arts institution in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Its home, the Villa Ortiz Basualdo, is a National Monument, adding to the museum's allure. The villa was commissioned in 1909 by the Ortíz Basualdo family, prominent landowners from Buenos Aires, as their summer residence. Designed by Luis Dubois and Pablo Pater, the eclectic Art Nouveau villa reflects a French architectural style popular at the time in both France and Argentina. The stone structure is distinguished by its zinc mansard roofing. The museum's story began in 1938 when Mar del Plata established its first municipal museum of fine art in the City Hall. Over the following decades, the museum amassed a collection primarily focused on modern art, with a particular emphasis on the works of local realist painter and muralist Juan Carlos Castagnino. In 1980, the Ortíz Basualdo family donated their villa, leading to the museum's relocation and re-inauguration on July 9, 1980. In 1982, the museum was renamed in honor of Juan Carlos Castagnino, recognizing his national and international significance. The museum holds 138 of his works. The museum's collection includes nearly 600 paintings, sculptures, lithographs, photographs, and other works. Besides Castagnino, you can find works by other Argentine artists like Antonio Berni, Alberto Bruzzone, Prilidiano Pueyrredón, Luis Seoane, and Raúl Soldi. The donation from the Ortíz Basualdo family also included a significant collection of furniture acquired between 1909 and the villa's remodel in 1918. Designed by Belgian architect and cabinetmaker Gustave Serrurier-Bovy, the furniture is considered among the world's finest of its kind. Declared a Cultural Heritage of the City of Mar del Plata in 1995, the Villa Ortiz Basualdo stands across from the Mar del Plata Museum of the Sea. In December 2020, it was declared a National Monument of Argentina.

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