Built between 1905 and 1909 for Mercedes Castellanos de Anchorea, a leading member of one of Argentina’s wealthiest and most influential families, Palacio San Martín, located just off the western edge of Plaza San Martín, is not quite as impressive as Palacio Paz—but it’s just as beautiful and in even better condition. When the family lost its fortune in the Great Depression, they sold the palace to the government, which now uses the building for state functions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship. Fortunately, much of the palace, which is actually composed of three separate buildings joined by a grand courtyard and entryway, remains open to the public. Tours visit the extravagant interior, including a variety of massive rooms decorated with stunning draperies, stained glass, ironwork, and even some of the original furniture. There’s even a small museum that displays a variety of pre-Columbian artifacts, though the axe heads, ceramics, and stone figures seem slightly out of place with the rest of the palace. ( Arenales 761.  TEl 4819 8092. Tours in English and Spanish Tu and Th 2:30pm)

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