San José palace facts for kids
The San José Palace (in Spanish, Palacio San José) was once the home of Justo José de Urquiza. He was an important Argentine leader, a general, and served as the President of the Argentine Confederation from 1854 to 1860. Today, this beautiful palace is a museum called the Justo José de Urquiza Museum and National Monument.
The Palace is located in the countryside, about 23 kilometers (14 miles) from the city of Concepción del Uruguay. It is in the Entre Ríos region of Argentina. The palace was designed by architect Pedro Fossati and took many years to build, from 1848 to 1858.
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Exploring San José Palace
The San José Palace is a great example of architecture from the mid-1800s, mixing Italian and Argentine styles. The main floor has two big courtyards. Around these courtyards, you'll find 38 rooms! These include a special room for old documents, a library, a playroom, a large dining room, kitchens, and even a chapel. The palace also has two tall towers for watching over the area.
Inside, you can see many fancy items like Italian marble, French mirrors, and roofs decorated with gold. The old documents stored here include important historical papers, antique items, paintings showing Urquiza's battles, and even lists of ships that arrived at the port of Concepción. These parts of the palace are very well kept. Often, visitors can only look at them and take pictures from outside the rooms to help protect them.
Modern Features for Its Time
The San José Palace was very modern for its time. It was the first building in Argentina to have a full system for running water. This was quite amazing, as even the big city of Buenos Aires didn't have running water until around 1870! Pipes brought water to the palace from the Gualeguaychú River, which was about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away.
A Place for Important Meetings
The Palace was not just a home; it was also a very important place for politics. Leaders from other countries would visit here, and important agreements between nations were signed. Special visitors like church leaders, military generals, and key politicians were also welcomed at the San José Palace.
The End of an Era
On the night of April 11, 1870, Justo José de Urquiza died at the Palace. He was killed by followers of Ricardo López Jordán, another political figure. The room where this happened was later turned into a special prayer room by Urquiza's wife. You can still see a preserved handprint in that room, which is a powerful reminder of the event.
A National Treasure
Because of its rich history and beautiful design, the San José Palace was officially named a National Monument on August 30, 1935. This means it is protected and preserved for everyone to learn from and enjoy.
Images for kids
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A path in the garden of the San José Palace, showing busts of famous historical figures.
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A view of one of the towers of the Palace.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio San José para niños
