Plaza de Mayo

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The Pirámide de Mayo contains ashes of the independence leader Juan José Castelli.

2. 2

   Underground tunnels from the colonial era are rumored to connect the Cabildo to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

3. 3

   The square is the location of the 'Kilometer Zero' marker for the Argentine national highway system.

4. 4

   The Metropolitan Cathedral houses the mausoleum of General José de San Martín, guarded by the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers.

5. 5

   The plaza was the scene of the 1955 bombing, a precursor to the military coups that defined 20th-century Argentine politics.

6. 6

   The white headscarves painted on the plaza tiles represent the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo.

Overview

Plaza de Mayo serves as the political heart of Buenos Aires and the site of the city's foundation in 1580. It is defined by its proximity to the Casa Rosada, the executive mansion of the President of Argentina. The square features the Pirámide de Mayo, an obelisk erected in 1811 to commemorate the first anniversary of the May Revolution. Significant state institutions surround the perimeter, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo. The plaza is historically renowned as the primary site for political protests and social movements. Every Thursday, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo march here to demand justice for their missing children. It connects to the Avenida de Mayo, creating a historic axis through the city center. The square occupies the site where the colonial fort once stood before its demolition in the late 19th century.

Insider tips

• Visit during the afternoon on a weekday to observe the ongoing political and social activity.

• Explore the interior of the Metropolitan Cathedral to see the neoclassical architecture and the San Martín mausoleum.

• Keep a safe distance from active protest groups, as demonstrations can be spontaneous and intense.