Â鶹APP

Plaza de Mayo. Photo by Roberto Fiadone.

Top 10 interesting facts about Plaza de Mayo

Plaza de Mayo was first created in the 1580s. It has then undergone multiple modifications and renovations and the modern plaza took from in 1884.

It is the city Square and the main foundational site of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It has been the scene of the most momentous events in Argentine history, as well as the largest popular demonstrations in the country.

It was formed after the colonnade was demolished, the Recova building was destroyed and thus unifying the city’s Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Armas.

The May Pyramid was inaugurated in the square’s hub, becoming Buenos Aires’ first national monument. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires:

1. It has always been the focal point of political life in Buenos Aires

Plaza de Mayo has been the center of politics in Buenos Aires. The mass demonstrations for Peron’s release were held here.

The second march of resistance for the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo took place here.

In addition, crowds have gathered on several occasions to hail de facto President Leopoldo Galtieri for Argentina’s invasion of the Falkland Islands, which launched the Falklands War.

More protests have continued taking place. The last major one occurring in being during the December 2001 riots when five protesters were killed while several others were injured by police as they rioted.

2. Plaza de Mayo contains the May pyramid

Pirámide de Mayo also known as the May pyramid is the oldest national monument in the City of Buenos Aires. It is located at the hub of the Plaza de Mayo.

It was first constructed in 1811 ordered by the Primera Junta to celebrate the first anniversary of the May Revolution.

It was renovated and underwent multiple modifications and later moved 63 meters to the east, with the idea that a much larger monument would eventually be constructed around it in 1912.

3. It is the beating heart for protests and celebrations in Argentina

Plaza de Mayo has held political importance since its creation during the 15th century.

It is strategically placed with surrounding the city’s major landmarks like Casa Rosada.

When the square was restored after centuries of neglect by having a colonnade built across it was divided into Two.

After the demolition of the Recova building, unifying the city’s Plaza de la Victoria and Plaza 25 de Mayo, respectively it was turned into the unified major activity square.

Plaza de Mayo has been the scene of the most momentous events in Argentine history, as well as the largest popular demonstrations in the country

4. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires can be located here

The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Catholic church located in the city center, overlooking Plaza de Mayo.

It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and the primatial church of Argentina.

It was first built in the 16th century and is a mix of architectural styles.

The church has an 18th-century nave and dome and a severe, 19th-century Neoclassical façade without towers and 18th-century statues and altarpieces in the interior as well as abundant Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque decoration.

5. On October 17th, 1945 the famous Peronist demonstration took place

The Mass demonstrations that forced the release of Juan Domingo Perón took place here.

Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine Army general and politician who was arrested in October 1945.

He had helped engineer a military coup in 1943 and had championed unions and giving workers more rights, winning their loyalty and becoming vice president.

After the military rivals had arrested him workers rallied to his cause.

On the 17th of October 17, 1945, the mass demonstrations organized by the CGT trade union federation forced Peron’s release.

He later become President of Argentina and during his term as president, the Peronist movement gathered in the Plaza de Mayo to show their support for their leader every October 17th.

6. There was a bombing incident at Plaza de Mayo

The plaza is a very popular site in Buenos Aires. Many functions are held here by politicians and locals.  it also serves as a venue for celebrations and gatherings.

On the 16th of June 1955, there was a bombing at Plaza de Mayo in an attempt to overthrow President Perón. The heavily crowded plaza was holding one of the populist leader’s many rallies when the bomb set off killing 364 people. 

30 aircraft from the Argentine Navy and Air Force had dropped the bombs in the square. This massacre became the largest aerial bombing ever on the Argentine mainland and truly a horrific event.

7. The plaza’s current name commemorates the May revolution of 1810

The May Revolution began on the 1st of February 1810. it was a week-long series of events that took place in Buenos Aires.

The May Revolution began the Argentine War of Independence. The then capital of Buenos Aires Río de la Plata was governed by the Viceroyalty.

The revolution resulted in the removal of Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros and the establishment of a local government, the Primera Junta on the 25th of May.

The square was then named after Río de la Plata to commemorate the Revolution which started the process toward the country’s independence from Spain in 1816.

8. It is an indispensable tourist attraction in Buenos Aires

Plaza de Mayo is one of the most popular squares in Buenos Aires.

Not only is it the heart of celebration and demonstrations visitors get to enjoy the culture and history by visiting several of the city’s major landmarks located around the Plaza is the Cabildo city council Created during the colonial era.

There is the Equestrian monument to General Manuel Belgrano, the current city hall or municipal, and the headquarters of the Nación Bank.

The square also encompasses the Casa Rosada home of the executive branch of the federal government.

The Buenos Aires financial district Microcentro surrounds the plaza within the barrio of Monserrat.

9. The second March of Resistance took place here

Plaza de Mayo is renowned as the political focal point of Buenos Aires.

Many politicians and residents use the plaza to hold rallies and activist protests and demonstrations.

One very popular demonstration is the second March of Resistance “of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo.

This took place on the 9th of December 1982. The plaza had been the congregation site for the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo activism group since 1977.

Here the protesters took advantage of the symbolic importance of the Plaza to showcase their plight to the public regarding what the military regime was doing.

The group was against the subjective forced disappearance by the Argentine military in the Dirty War, during the National Reorganization Process.

The officials would also illegally have detained, subject to abuse and torture, and finally murdered in secret any individual who was suspected to be supportive of the subversive activities.

10. The modern plaza took form in 1884

Plaza de Mayo is located within the barrio of Monserrat financial district known as Microcentro.

Its initial origins can be traced back to 1580’s Juan de Garay’s foundation of Buenos Aires itself.

Jesuit clergymen newly arrived at the dusty riverbank settlement and secured a title in 1602.

The land was on Garay’s earlier plans for a central plaza that had been abandoned. 61 years later the local governor purchased the eastern half for inclusion into the grounds of the city’s new fort soon becoming the Plaza de Armas.

The plaza was then overused and neglected for centuries until the local colonial government attempted to give a semblance of order by having a colonnade built across it. 

In the year 1811, Mayor Torcuato de Alvear ordered the space modernized, resulting in the creation of the modern Plaza de Mayo after the colonnade’s demolition.