Escuela de Mecánica de la Armada

Also known as ESMA, the Escuela de Mecánica de la Armada (Navy School of Mechanics in English) was the main torture spot in Argentina in the 1970s. Thousands of people labeled as "subversive" passed through these walls. Too many of them didn't survive their visit, either being tortured to death or dumped over the Atlantic Ocean. The crimes that these people committed? Often, it was for "subversive thought." This pretty much meant if you ever possibly angered anyone in the military group that was in charge. Or if you were Jewish.

This building looks so peaceful now. If you didn't know, it would be hard to imagine people being raped, or tortured with cattle prods in the dungeons underground. But the truth is, these horrible human rights violations did occur here. When the military junta was overthrown in the 1980s, ESMA was taken out of commission. The building itself has reverted to a museum, featuring a guided tour. It's good to know that the Argentine government is no longer trying to cover up their misdeeds of the past. They do offer tours in English, if you call ahead. Admission to the museum is free, any and all can come in and learn about the Argentine Dirty war from the perspective of its victims. Although, I don't know how I would feel being in a place where so much has happened. I'm sure it's a very humbling and disconcerting experience. What do you think about turning a place of torture into a museum? Is it disrespectful or preserving of history?