This post is part 11 of 12 in the series Buenos Aires, Argentina City Travel Guide

The city of Buenos Aires is served by an underground public transportation system called the Subterráneo de Buenos Aires (SUBTE). A hallmark of the train network, in operation since early 1900s, is the artwork that adorns its stations, platforms, and corridors. It’s estimated that there are currently more than 450 works of art by more than 200 artists (including some big names) under the streets of the Argentinean capital including historic murals, painted Spanish tile, modern art, mosaics, sculpture, and even a  memorial. Here’s a selection of some of our favorite pieces of SUBTE underground art in Buenos Aires.

SUBTE underground art in Buenos Aires

tile art in Buenos Aires subte

Many of the older SUBTE stations are adorned with tile murals depicting Argentinean scenes (top, second from bottom, and bottom). On the C line, which was financed by a Spanish company in the 1930s, stations have tile murals made of Spanish tiles, painted by artists in Spain and then imported to Argentina, depicting Spanish landscapes and cities (second from top).

Nazza Stencil Subte B Angel Gallardo art in Buenos Aires

The Ángel Gallardo SUBTE station, on Line B, is covered in stencils of indigenous women created by artist Nazza Stencil.

Carlos Gardel subte art in Buenos Aires

The Carlos Gardel SUBTE station, on Line B, is named for the Argentinean singer, songwriter, composer, actor, and tango legend, and the walls are covered in paintings and mosaics that are an homage to Carlos Gardel.

subte buenos aires Medrano station art ron agazi

The Medrano SUBTE station, on Line B, has a dance theme and the platform is covered in murals by Ron and Martin Agazi (aka Keni) that celebrate various forms of dance.

Federico Lacroze subte art

The platform walls of the Federico Lacroze SUBTE station, 0n Line B, are covered by work from various street artists including El Marian, Jiant, Malegria, and Primo.

Federico Lacroze subte art 2

The platform walls of the Federico Lacroze SUBTE station, on Line B, are covered by work by various street artists including Amalito Land, Oz Montania, Ice, and Luxor.

subte Malabia O Pugliese Station art

The Malabia – O.Pugliese SUBTE station, on Line B, showcases art by Lula Mari (top), Georgina Ciotti (2nd from top), and others.

Marta Minujin sculpture subte art in Buenos Aires

The Retiro SUBTE station, on Line E, is home to this deconstructed head sculpture by noted Argentine artist Marta Minujin.

callao subte mosaic

The Callao SUBTE station, on Line D, is covered in mosaic portraits.

Dorrego subte art

Line B of the SUBTE system features original tiles installed when the line opened in the 1930s. In 2015, painters were invited to create art over some of the tiles (like the example, above, in the Dorrego station) which caused some controversy.

carranza subte art Nik Gaturro

The Ministro Carranza SUBTE station, on Line D, features work by the illustrator of a very popular comic strip called Gaturro.

bodeo subte art

The Bodeo SUBTE station, on Line E, contains works by Pedro Cuevas that reflect the neighborhood’s tango traditions.

subte palermo station art

Modern art in the Palermo SUBTE station on  Line D.

Echeverria subte art Carolina Antoniadis

The Echeverría SUBTE station, on Line B, features murals by Carolina Antoniadis.

del los incas subte art buenos aires

The Los Incas – Parque Chas SUBTE station, on Line B, is home to artwork with a pre-Hispanic motif.

subte art Carlos Jauregui pride stairs

The Santa Fe – Carlos Jáuregui SUBTE station, on Line H, is named in honor of LGBT activist Carlos Jáuregui and features LGBT-themed art like these stairs painted in the colors of the pride flag.

subte Pasteur Amia memorial

The Pasteur – AMIA SUBTE station, on Line B, is home to a moving memorial to the victims of Latin America’s worst terrorist attack, the bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) building in 1994 which killed 85 people and injured more than 300 others.

 

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