Argentina’s former secret detention centres: Between demolition, modification and preservation

Debates over the preservation, modification, or demolition of Argentina’s former secret detention centers—such as ESMA (Navy School of Mechanics), Rosario Memory Museum, and El Pozo—reveal deep-seated political and social tensions. These sites, once symbols of state terrorism during the 1976–1983 military dictatorship, embody conflicting national memories. The study compares proposals from human rights groups, arguing that their fate reflects broader struggles against globalization and neoliberalism. By analyzing architectural debates, the research highlights how these spaces serve as alternative sites for collective memory, challenging dominant narratives.

Hidalgo, E. B. (2012). Argentina’s former secret detention centres: Between demolition, modification and preservation. Journal of Material Culture, 17(2), 191–206. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359183512442610