In 2012, four decades after the tragedy/miracle in the Andes, there was still no museum dedicated to sharing the values that emerged from this story. With the aim of also paying tribute to the 45 people who were on board the plane, a series of exhibitions were held that year, which later became the Andes 1972 Museum.
Thus, on Friday, October 11, 2013, the museum opened its doors at the initiative of its founder, curator and director: Jörg P. A. Thomsen.
We intend to awaken or keep alive in the memory of the general population this inspiring and unique story in the world.
The museum's permanent exhibition consists of 400 m2 on 3 levels with more than 45 information panels, 35 display cases with original objects and unpublished audiovisuals.
It features works of art inspired by the story, created by the survivors themselves or by other artists sensitized by this tragedy/odyssey.
Visitors can experience the Andean Conditions Simulator where they will experience temperatures as low as -15°C and wind gusts of up to 10 km/h.
The building was constructed in the second half of the 19th century. It forms a symmetrical ensemble with its western boundary. The ground floor was used for commerce, and the upper floor served as offices. Its façade is notable for its granite base and the decoration of the upper floor with Corinthian pilasters and Carrara marble balconies.
The interior columns are made of cast iron. The load-bearing walls are a mixed structure, composed of handmade bricks from the period and rock obtained from the remains of the colonial wall of Montevideo, after its demolition in 1829.
Originally from Amarante, Portugal, Manuel Bastos (September 8, 1832 – June 12, 1909) acquired it in 1887 for commercial purposes. His son, Dr. Arturo Justino Bastos Fortet (October 7, 1865 – June 23, 1898), unfortunately died at a very young age, and the property passed in 1913 to his granddaughter, Inés Juana Ana Bastos Leopold (February 8, 1897 – June 23, 1988), grandmother of the curator of this museum.
The property has remained in the family's hands ever since (seven generations to date).
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