Built between 1870 and 1871, during the government of José Balta. This building is considered a pioneering work in Latin America, as it stands among the earliest and most significant constructions employing the new iron based architecture technique. Designed in the Neo-Renaissance style, its design and construction were the work of Italian architect Antonio Leonardi. The iron columns, imported from Europe, are attributed to the Eiffel workshop. Surrounded by statues, gardens, and a zoological park, the Palace became the centerpiece of one of the most important urban projects of the last century, following the model of the great European world’s fairs.
Today, it’s an important part of one of the city’s most dynamic and frequented areas, attracting a large and diverse public. Owing to its historical and architectural significance, the Palace was declared a Historic Monument and Cultural Heritage of the Nation by the National Institute of Culture (INC) in 1973.