El Palacio del Congreso de la Nación Argentina (National Congress Building), located at the western end of Avida de Mayo, houses el Congreso de la Nación Argentina (Congress of the Argentine Nation). El Congreso de la Nación Argentina, the legislative branch of the Argentine national government, is bicameral, constituted by a 72-seat Senado (Senate) and a 257-seat Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies).
The Greco-Roman style neoclassical building was constructed between 1898 and 1906, but its aesthetic details were not completed until 1946. It was designed by Italian architect Vittorio Meano and completed by Argentine architect Julio Dormal. With its copper clad central dome rising 80 meters high, it was the tallest building in Argentina at the time of its completion. The quadriga atop the entrance is the work of sculptor Victor de Pol; local sculptor Lola Mora graced the interior halls and exterior alike with numerous allegorical bronzes. By 1974, the building proved to be too small and a modern annex, El Anexo "A" de la Cámara de Diputados de la Nación, was built next door.
Tags: Palacio del Congreso de la Nación Argentina Palacio del Congreso de la Nacion Argentina National Congress Building Argentine National Congress Building Congreso de la Nación Argentina Congreso de la Nacion Argentina Congress of the Argentine Nation neoclassical Vittorio Meano Julio Dormal dome congress congressional building Balvanera Buenos Aires Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires Argentina South America