Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires

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This is the main square in Buenos Aires and around it you find some important buildings such as the Casa Rosada (palace of the government), the national banck, the cathedral. It was built in 1580 and it always had a special part in the history of the city and the country itself. In 1945 there was a huge union protest to obtain the rescue of Peron who, later became president of the country. From the seventies it is the place where any Thursday the mothers of the “desaparecidos” meet up to commemorate their disappeared kids.

Founded by Juan de Garay in 1580, this is the original center of the city. The city's first monument, Pirámide de Mayo, is situated at its center. Important institutions flank the plaza: the Casa Rosada (President's Pink House), Banco de la Nación (Nation's Bank), Catedral Metropolitana and Cabildo (Town Hall). Internationally known for the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, women gather here in a silent vigil, every Thursday at 3p to claim justice for their "disappeared" during the military rule in the 1980s

Located at the center of the Plaza de Mayo, this sculpture honors Liberty and the May Revolution.
It is 18 meters (61 feet) high and is the work of French sculptor Joseph Debourdieu. Originally placed in 1811, it has been renovated several times and moved from its original position to where it is presently. Plans for a larger monument have apparently been scrapped.

Comparable to the Zocalo in Mexico City....this beautiful and gracious square in the middle of Buenos Aires has everything a tourist is looking for when visiting this big city. The National Cathedral, the Casa Rosada and various cafes and restaurants line this square. Entrance to the cathedral is free but a donation is accepted as for la Casa Rosada, one must have a foreign passport to receive a ticket for entrance to this great palace.....worth the trip to it.....just be careful and don't show up during a planned protest....this is where major protests against the government happens in Buenos Aires.

Located in Plaza de Mayo is an equestrian statue of one of Argentina’s greatest heroes. The statue of Manuel Belgrano. Manuel Belgrano is mounted on a horse and is holding a flag of Argentina.

Manuel Belgrano was an important figure in Argentinean history. He was a scholar, a lawyer, politician and economist and military leader. After the Spanish rule was overthrown he was appointed general by the first autonomous government of Argentina. He led many battles which prepared the country for many victories. He was also one of the many leaders of the Argentine Declaration of Independence.

The Piramide de Mayo, a momument located in the center of the Plaza de Mayo, was constructed to celebrate the first anniversary of the May Revolution of 1810.

The structure measures 18.76 meters and was constructed in 1811 by the Primera Junta. At the top of the monument is a allegory of liberty which was the work of the French sculptor Joseph Dubourdieu.

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Plaza de Mayo is the major square in Buenos Aires and has served as the center for many political rallys. The "plaza" was named after the May 1810 revolution that led to the independence of Argentina.

The square is quite beauitful and is flanked by many of the city's major landmarks like the the Casa Rosada at one end and El Congreso at the other as well as El Cabildo, Piramide de Mayo, Statue of Belgrano and the Cathedral Metropolitana just to name a few.

The plaza also has some nice walking paths, benches and fountains. We enjoyed a nice afternoon checking out the various landmarks.

All around this area are historical monuments and buildings. Most of the buildings seem to date back to the 18th century and are quite grand.We gazed skyward and started clicking our cameras in typical tourist fashion and as usual we couldn't capture all.

Its unforunate ,however,the city seems to be plagued with graffetti and nothing is spared .Not even these magnificant monuments. Once again we see trash everywhere and even more disturbing are the homeless digging through it searching for food.

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The Plaza de Mayo has the historical and political connections with its buildings and monuments. The Casa Rosada is the government house and renowned for Evita's speeches for the crowds. There is the Cabildo, the only colonial-era building, the Catedral Metropolitana and the Piramade de Mayo linking to the first anniversary of Buenos Aires independence. The Plaza is where the Madres (de Plaza de Mayo) protested about the dictatorship (1976-83) and still protest weekly on various political and social issues.

Argentinian Executive branch building. If your here at the right time, there is a changing of the guard ceremony. You can't go into the building itself but there is a small musem on the right side of the building in the basement. The museum is free but you must present your passport upon entry.