Presidencia de la Nación

During the last civil-military dictatorship in Argentina (1976-1983) the Navy School of Mechanics (ESMA) operated as a Clandestine Detention, Torture and Extermination Center. Located along one of the main access roads to the city of Buenos Aires –Av. del Libertador–, the building of the former Officer´s Quarters, originally intended for recreation and rest of the officers, was the operational core for illegal repression. Approximately 5,000 people detainees-disappeared went through this place. Most of them were dropped alive into the sea on the so called "death flights". Today the former Officer´s Quarters is material evidence about State terrorism, a proof in trials against Humanity and a Site Museum. The **Museum and Site of Memory ESMA** is part of UNESCO´s World Heritage tentative list. It houses a museographic exhibition based on the testimonies given by survivors at CONADEP (1984), Trial of the Juntas (1985) and on documents declassified by State agencies for current ESMA trial, among other files.