Pasaje Roverano and Subte Line A Historic Transit

Why is it significant?

Step beneath the ornate stone entrance portal at Avenida de Mayo 560 into the graceful barrel-vaulted hallway of Pasaje Roverano.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Step beneath the ornate stone entrance portal at Avenida de Mayo 560 into the graceful barrel-vaulted hallway of Pasaje Roverano. First opened in 1878 by the Roverano brothers on land adjacent to the Cabildo, this covered commercial passage was thoroughly transformed in 1918 by French architect Eugenio Gantner. Gantner wrapped the arcade in exquisite Art Nouveau embellishments, installing curved stained glass, curved brass balustrades, polished wooden shop windows, and a glass-and-iron skylight that floods the interior corridor with soft natural light.

Walk halfway down the arcade and look toward the rear staircase: Pasaje Roverano holds the unique distinction of having a direct, private entrance that descends directly onto the subterranean platform of the Perú metro station.

When Subte Line A opened on December 1, 1913, it was the very first underground subway system in all of Latin America, the Southern Hemisphere, and the Spanish-speaking world. Constructed by the Anglo-Argentine Tramways Company, Line A carried passengers between Plaza de Mayo and Plaza Miserere in wooden carriages crafted by the Belgian firm La Brugeoise. For an entire century until their retirement in 2013, those beloved wooden carriages—with hand-carved mahogany paneling, leather straps, and glowing incandescent sconces—carried millions of commuters beneath Avenida de Mayo. Inside Pasaje Roverano, time seems to stand still: traditional barbershops, coin dealers, stamp collectors, and bespoke tailors continue practicing their trades much as they did in the 1920s. The direct passage to the station permitted wealthy patrons to step out of the metro directly into luxury tailor suites without facing rain or cold wind.

Peering through the glass into the heritage barbershop feels like stepping into a romantic tango vignette from a century ago. Glancing across the polished brass railings and curved wood showcases, you appreciate the quiet charm of an era when shopping galleries served as peaceful havens amidst the bustling boulevard outside.

Exit back onto Avenida de Mayo and stroll two blocks west to reach the legendary Café Tortoni.