Plaza de Mayo Buenos Aires History.
Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires is one of the most important landmarks in the city. Built-in 1580 – the same year as the city. It was the first central square and over time played a very important role in the history of Buenos Aires.
A couple of months ago I went to Buenos Aires and decided to walk to Plaza de Mayo very early one morning. I planned to be there before the city came alive. It was on this square that I took a couple of minutes to turn 360 degrees and to absorb what I see around me.
If you stand in the middle of the square you have a beautiful view of Casa Rosada. Foreigners call it the Pink Palace. This is the official government building where the president is working from. From this square, thousands of people cheered Evita Peron. In 2001 protesters fired upon by police during the economic crisis. There is a strong political connection between Plaza de Mayo and the people of Buenos Aires.
Over the years this prominent square has heard many cries and cheers and seen many protests.
Plaza de Mayo Buenos Aires facts and landmarks.
Many historical buildings surround Plaza de Mayo dating back to the 18th century. To the left you will see the Banco de la Nacion (Central Bank), The Cathedral and the Cabildo, to name a few.
The square itself has several important statues and monuments. The most prominent monument – General Belgrano on his horse with a flag. He was a very important figure in the history of Argentina, fought and won many battles and one of the leaders of the Argentine Declaration of Independence.
The Statue of General Belgrano at Plaza de Mayo.
Facing the financial district of the city and in the centre of the plaza is a large white monument called Pirámide de Mayo. Constructed in 1811 to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the May Revolution of 1810. The monument measures 18.76 meters. At the top of the monument is an allegory of liberty by the French sculptor, Joseph Dubourdieu.
On the far left side of the plaza, you can see white crosses. These crosses have a symbolic value and are for the missing children in Argentina during the period of the Dictator. They still find children after all these years.
Plaza de Mayo Buenos Aires events.
There are regular events in Plaza de Mayo Buenos Aires. Every Thursday at 3:30 pm the Madres de los Desaparecidos ((Mothers of the Disappeared) gather in Plaza de Mayo and they walk with pictures of their children who have disappeared during the Dictatorship of the 1970’s. It is very moving to watch them.
Plaza de Mayo is famous for marches and picketing. During the day there is a lot of movement, noise, and distractions and you don’t have a quiet moment to appreciate it’s beauty. There are nice benches and walking paths where you can sit and relax for a while.
The one where beggars scratch in dustbins for food and where people write graffiti on historical buildings. Where homeless people sleep in front of churches and where trash is lying around. By the time the financial district opens, trash got cleared but the beggars and graffiti remain.
