Did you know that Buenos Aires is home to a building that houses a sacred tree, a secret fronton, and nearly 150 years of history? It was founded over 100 years ago by 12 young immigrants, and you can tour it for free and travel to Europe without leaving Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires is full of hidden treasures nestled among palaces and historic buildings, and a stroll down Belgrano Avenue can lead to incredible surprises. One of them is discovering one of Buenos Aires’ oldest buildings—an architectural gem that houses a molenario tree from Guernica and also holds the distinction of being the oldest Basque center (or Euskal Etxea) in the world. The Laurak Bat Basque Center is a building steeped in history, and you can tour it for free on a unique guided tour this September 3.
Century-Old Buildings in Buenos Aires: The Secrets Hidden Behind the Doors of the World’s Oldest Basque Center
The Laurak Bat Basque Center was originally founded in 1877 by a group of young immigrants, and its current headquarters—which you can visit on September 3—was inaugurated in 1939. In fact, it’s so impressive that in 2015 it was designated a Site of National Historical Interest.
On this free guided tour, you’ll be able to explore its elegant halls and the presidential office, but what makes this place truly unique are its best-kept secrets. We’ll share a few with you so you won’t hesitate to explore this magnificent building.
In the middle of the building grows an oak tree planted in 1906—and it’s not just any tree. It’s a direct offshoot of the millennia-old Tree of Gernika, the ultimate symbol of Basque freedoms.
The building hides a traditional pelota paleta court—a Basque sport known throughout the world—and a presidential armchair carved from the wood of the first oak sapling that ever grew in the city center.
How to join the guided tour
To take part in this free guided tour, learn about the cultural diversity that shapes Buenos Aires, and—while you’re at it—take some incredible photos, you’ll need to sign up.
- 📍 Where: Centro Vasco Laurak Bat (Av. Belgrano 1144, Monserrat neighborhood).
- 📅 When: Thursday, September 3, 2026.
- 🕒 Time: 3:00 p.m.
- 💸 Price: free
