Puente de la mujer or Women’s Bridge tourist attraction in Buenos Aires.

It is here at Puerto Madero where you can see the pedestrian bridge called “Puente de la Mujer“. Puerto Madero is one of my favourite places in Buenos Aires and a beautiful place to walk.  When in the city, I like to sit here and admire the sailboats or just watch the people go by.

It is an interesting  and impressive structure. When I saw it for the first time I couldn’t figure out exactly what it represented. Somebody explained, that the bridge represented a woman. To be honest, I still battle to see the resemblance but have accepted the artistic impression.

History of the Puente de la Mujer.

This pedestrian bridge and the first work done by Valencian architect and engineer, Santiago Calatrava, in Latin America.

It is 160 meters long and 6 meters wide. It’s metallic mast raises 39 meters. The bridge (of an estimated weight of 800 tons) can move every time a ship needs to pass through. Its turn mechanism is one of the biggest of the world, with 20 electric engines in its main axis, which are commanded by a computer.

The work (donated to the city by a businessman) and built in Spain, moved in parts and many shipments to Buenos Aires. Assembling commenced in 2001.

The artistic profile of the work is interpreted by the author as the figure of a couple dancing tango. The white mast represents the man, and the curved silhouette of the bridge represents the woman.

I do recommend a visit to the bridge if you are in Buenos Aires. It is defintely a major tourist attraction  and the area around Puerto Madero is beautiful.