Museum in San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Museo Taller Draghi - San Antonio de Areco
The finest silversmith workshop and museum in Argentina, run by the Draghi family for three generations. The museum displays extraordinary examples of traditional gaucho silverwork — facones (knives), mate gourds, belt buckles, and spurs — alongside historical pieces dating back centuries.
The Museo y Taller Draghi occupies a historic colonial house at Lavalle 387 in San Antonio de Areco, the gaucho capital of Buenos Aires Province, 115 kilometres north-west of the capital. Run by the Draghi family for three generations, it is the most celebrated silversmith workshop in Argentina and among the finest repositories of traditional gaucho silverwork in the world.
The museum section occupies several rooms displaying an extraordinary collection of historical and contemporary gaucho silver pieces. The core of the display is silverwork associated with the vestimenta gaucha — the traditional dress and equipment of the Argentine cowboy: rastra belt buckles featuring intricate engraved geometric patterns, silver-handled facones (long knives), elaborate spurs (espuelas) with inlaid designs, silver-sheathed boleadoras, and cimarrón mate gourds fitted with ornate bombillas. Alongside the functional pieces, the collection includes decorative work commissioned by wealthy estancia-owners in the 18th and 19th centuries, some of it of genuine museum quality.
The attached taller (workshop) is the living heart of the establishment. Visitors can observe Draghi craftsmen at work on pieces destined for the workshop's retail clientele — finishing a blade, chasing a design into a silver disk, or fitting a horn handle to a facón. The work is entirely handmade using traditional techniques passed down through the family, and the level of craft is immediately apparent. The artisans generally work with the workshop's large window open, allowing natural light to illuminate the process.
A visit typically takes 1–2 hours: 30–45 minutes for the museum rooms and a further 30 minutes or more observing the workshop and browsing the retail section, where new pieces are available for purchase at prices that reflect the quality. Authentic Draghi silver pieces make among the most sought-after souvenirs available in the province.
San Antonio de Areco is best visited as a day trip or overnight stay from Buenos Aires on a weekend. Combining the Museo Taller Draghi with a walk to the Ricardo Güiraldes museum and the Parque Criollo on the river bank makes a full and rewarding cultural day in the town.
Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM
Best time: morning
Best for: culture, shopping, history
Location
Lavalle 387, San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires Province
-34.2472, -59.4744 — View on map
Highlights
- Museum collection of historical gaucho silverwork spanning belt buckles, facones, spurs, and mate gourds, with pieces dating from the 18th century to the present
- Live silversmith workshop where visitors observe Draghi craftsmen hand-finishing pieces using traditional techniques unchanged for generations
- Family-run institution spanning three generations, recognised as the finest gaucho silversmith operation in Argentina
- Retail section where authentic Draghi silver pieces — among the most prized artisan souvenirs in Buenos Aires Province — can be purchased directly
Tips
- Arrive when the workshop opens (9am) for the best chance of seeing craftsmen active before the day's production workload fills the space
- Ask a staff member to point out the oldest pieces in the collection — some date to the colonial period and are displayed without prominent labels
- Purchasing a piece here guarantees authenticity; silver sold at Areco market stalls is often machine-made imitation work
- Combine the visit with the Ricardo Güiraldes Museum and the Parque Criollo, both within 15 minutes' walk along the river
FAQ
How long does a visit to Museo Taller Draghi take?
Plan 1–2 hours. Allowing 30–45 minutes for the museum rooms and at least 30 minutes in the workshop observation area is recommended. Those interested in purchasing a piece should allow additional time.
Is photography allowed inside the museum and workshop?
Photography for personal use is generally permitted in the museum rooms. It is courteous to ask before photographing the workshop craftsmen; most are accommodating.
Are the pieces in the workshop for sale?
Yes. The Draghi workshop operates as a functioning silversmith business as well as a museum. Pieces range from small items such as mate bombillas to major commissions; staff can advise on pricing and customisation.
Accessibility
The building is a historic colonial structure with a ground-floor layout. Access for wheelchairs is limited by the threshold at the main entrance and several internal level changes. Visitors with mobility impairments should contact the museum in advance to discuss access arrangements.
When to visit
Weekday mornings offer the quietest visit and the most active workshop viewing. San Antonio de Areco is busiest on the second weekend of November during the Festival de la Tradición; visiting then means larger crowds at the museum. Weekend afternoons in summer (January–February) are also particularly crowded.