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'There are many '''landmarks''' in [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]] some of which are of considerable historical or artistic interest. ==Monuments== ===Monumento de los Españoles=== [[File:Monumento de los Españoles.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Monument to the Spaniards]] The "Monumento a La Carta Magna y las Cuatro Regiones Argentinas" is situated in the Sarmiento y Libertador part of the [[Palermo, Buenos Aires|Palermo]] district. It was raised by the Spanish community in 1910 for the Centennial of the Revolution of May, and it is commonly referred to as the "Spanish Monument" ("Monumento De los Españoles"). The colossal work is 24.5 meters high, created in marble from [[Carrara]] and brass by the Spanish sculptor [[Agustí Querol Subirats]]. In March 1916, the [[ocean liner]] ''[[Príncipe de Asturias (ocean liner)|Príncipe de Asturias]]'' from [[Barcelona]] was wrecked 90 miles from Rio de Janeiro. In this accident, more than 450 people died and the load of marble ornaments and brass that composed the statuary of the monument was lost in the depths of the ocean. The following year, replicas were requested for those lost in the shipwreck. Finally, May 25, 1927 the count of Amalfi, on behalf of the king [[Alfonso XIII]], made a symbolic delivery of the work to the president [[Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear]].<ref>[http://www.palermonline.com.ar/palermo-barrio/galeria_de_fotos/monumento_carta_magna/index.htm "Monumento de los Españoles"]</ref> ===Monument of General Manuel Belgrano=== [[File:Buenos Aires-Plaza de Mayo-Estatua Belgrano(2).jpg|thumb|right|200px|Monument of General Manuel Belgrano in Plaza de Mayo]] This monument of the general [[Manuel Belgrano]], one of the greatest heroes of Argentine History, is in the [[Plaza de Mayo]]. It is a bronze equestrian statue on a large granite pedestal, showing Belgrano holding aloft the flag of Argentina. It was inaugurated in 1873, created by the French sculptor [[Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse]] and Argentine Manuel de Santa Coloma. The monument was erected by public funding in gratitude to the general.<ref>[http://www.conozcabuenosaires.com.ar/monumentos/belgrano.htm "Monumento al General Manuel Belgrano"] Conozca Buenos Aires. Retrieved 31 January 2009.</ref> Manuel Belgrano (1770 &ndash; 1820) was an economist, lawyer, politician, and military leader, born in [[Buenos Aires]]. He founded the ''Escuela de Naútica'' (School of Navigation) in 1799. After the Spanish rule was overthrown in 1810, Belgrano was appointed general by the first autonomous government of Argentina. Belgrano led an ill-fated military campaign to [[Paraguay]], and also led the [[Jujuy Exodus]], which prepared the ground for victories of the [[Argentine War of Independence]] in the northwest of the country in the [[Battle of Tucumán]] (1812) and [[Battle of Salta]] (1813). Belgrano was one of the leaders of the [[Argentine Declaration of Independence]], promulgated on July 9, 1816.<ref>[http://www.argentour.com/en/argentina_personalities/manuel_belgrano.php "Juan Manuel Belgrano"] Argentour.com. Retrieved 31 January 2009.</ref> ===Monument of the Two Congresses=== [[File:Buenos Aires-Plaza del Congreso-Monumentos.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Monument of the Two Congressess]] The ''Monumento de los dos Congresos'' in the Plaza des los Dos Congresos in the [[Montserrat, Buenos Aires|Monserrat]] district, was created in stone from [[Nancy, France|Nancy]]. The monument was designed by the [[Belgium|Belgian]] architect Eugène D'Huicque (1877–1955) and the bronze statues are the work of the Belgian artist Jules Lagae(1862–1931). It was created in [[Brussels]], finished in 1909, and inaugurated in Buenos Aires on July 9, 1914<ref>[http://www.cai.org.ar/dep_tecnico/comisiones/CTECO/trabajos/obras-monumentos.htm "OBRAS Y MONUMENTOS SOBRE LAS PLAZAS DEL CONGRESO"] Centro Argentino de Ingenieros. Retrieved 31 January 2009.</ref> The monument celebrates the centenary of the 1816 declaration of independence. The central figure represents the Republic on the march, with snake faces and an allegory of abundance at its feet. The two lateral figures represent the assembly of 1813 and the congress of 1816. There are also other representations of national fauna, notably of horses and condors.<ref>[http://www.tourismebuenosaires.com/Monuments-sur-la-Plaza-des-los-Dos.html "Monuments sur la Plaza des los Dos Congresos"] Tourism Buenos Aires. Retrieved 31 January 2009.</ref> ===Mast in Plaza Colombia=== [[File:Buenos Aires - Barracas - Plaza Colombia - 20071215a.jpg|thumb|Mast in Plaza Colombia]] This mast is in the center of the Plaza Colombia, in the [[Barracas, Buenos Aires|Barracas]] district. The mast and brass sculptural group: "Hoisting the Flag" was created by the sculptor Julio C. Vergottini. The brass piece was cast in Colombia and donated by the Government of Bogotá to Buenos Aires in 1940.<ref>[http://www.intertournet.com.ar/capfederal/barracas1.htm "BARRACAS: LUGARES DE INTERES"] Intertournet. Retrieved 31 January 2009</ref> ===Estrada=== [[File:Monumento a Estrada.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Monumento a Estrada]] This monument in the Plaza Loria is to the late 19th century historian, journalist and publicist [[José Manuel Estrada]] (1842–1894), a leading [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] intellectual and politician in Buenos Aires in the second half of the 19th century. The sculpture of Estrada was ordered in 1937 by the municipality of Buenos Aires and inaugurated on 11 November 1947. It was created by the sculptor Héctor Rocha (1893-?), who also created a statue of General Manuel Belgrano in the plaza Manuel Belgrano, inaugurated in 1961, and the ''Monumento a Guillermo Rawson'' described below.<ref>[http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?info=auto_contenido&menu_id=144&lang=en "Belgrano"]</ref> ===Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi=== [[File:GaribaldiBuenosAires.jpg|thumb|right|Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi in Plaza Italia]] {{Main|Monumento a Giuseppe Garibaldi}} The Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi is an [[equestrian sculpture]] featuring [[Giuseppe Garibaldi]], located on Plaza Italia, in the [[Palermo, Buenos Aires|Palermo]] neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) was an [[Italians|Italian]] military and political figure. In his twenties, he joined the [[Carbonari]] Italian patriot revolutionaries, and had to flee Italy after a failed insurrection. He then contributed to the independence of [[Uruguay]], leading the Italian Legion in the [[Uruguayan Civil War]], and afterwards returned to Italy as a commander in the conflicts of the [[unification of Italy|Risorgimento]]. He has been dubbed the "Hero of the Two Worlds" in tribute to his military expeditions in both South America and Europe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Garibaldi, Giuseppe (1807-1882) |url=http://www.ohiou.edu/~chastain/dh/gari.htm}}</ref> Donated to the city by [[Italy|Italian]] residents, the monument was built by Italian [[sculptor]] Eugenio Maccagnani as a replica of the one located in [[Brescia]], Italy, and was inaugurated on June 19, 1904. ===Monument to General Juan Lavalle=== [[File:Buenos Aires - Monumento a Lavalle.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Lavalle]] The monument is the work of the sculptor Pedro Costa, located in a circle on Tucumán street. It is made of marble and sandstone. It has a strong base and a column that supports the statue. It was carried out by the initiative of a Commission presided over by [[Bartolomé Mitre]] during the intendency of Torcuato of Alvear. [[Juan Lavalle]] was in the army that besieged [[Montevideo]] in 1813. He continued to participate in the struggles between the successor states of the Spanish provinces, fighting with great bravery and steadily rising in rank. In the [[Battle of Ituzaingó]] in February 1827, he beat the forces of General Abreu and was himself proclaimed General on the field of battle. Lavalle organised the [[Unitarian Party|Unitarian]] revolution of December 1828, after which he was chosen governor of [[Buenos Aires Province]]. One of his unfortunate decisions was to execute former governor [[Manuel Dorrego]], which ignited a civil war. After the ''Convention of Barracas'' agreement with [[Juan Manuel de Rosas]], he retired to the [[Banda Oriental]] (nowadays Uruguay) In 1839, with support from exiled objectors to Rosas' government, he arrived in [[Entre Ríos Province]] and advanced towards Buenos Aires in order to overthrow Rosas. However, he was unsuccessful and was accidentally shot dead in 1841. By a "strange coincidence" the Monumento al General Lavalle was erected in front of the residence of Felicia Dorrego, the former governor's daughter.<ref>[http://www.argentinatotal.com.ar/info_turis/provincias/capfed/paseos/paseo_9.htm "Plaza General Lavalle"]</ref> ===Monument to Mariano Moreno=== [[File:Buenos Aires - Monumento a Mariano Moreno.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mariano Moreno]] The monument to [[Mariano Moreno]] is in Plaza Mariano Moreno. It opened on 1 October 1910. The statue was created by Miguel Blay y Fábregas (1866 &ndash; 1936).<ref>[http://www.cai.org.ar/dep_tecnico/comisiones/CTECO/trabajos/obras-monumentos.htm "OBRAS Y MONUMENTOS SOBRE LAS PLAZAS DEL CONGRESO"]</ref> Mariano Moreno (1778 &ndash; 1811) was an lawyer, journalist and politician who played a decisive role in the [[May Revolution]] that led to the [[Argentine Declaration of Independence|declaration of independence]] of Argentina from Spain. Moreno was a secretary in the [[Primera Junta|First Junta]] that replaced the viceroy of Spain. He suppressed the uprising of [[Santiago de Liniers]] in [[Córdoba Province, Argentina|Córdoba]] (whom he had executed later), and organized the liberating expedition to Alto Perú. He was then removed from office by [[Cornelio Saavedra]]. Moreno created the first Argentine newspaper, ''La Gazeta de Buenos Aires''. He summarized his thoughts on economics in his 1809 book ''Representación de los hacendados y labradores'', which, following the [[physiocrats|physiocratic doctrine]], proposed the stimulation of agriculture to develop an economy that was very dependent on [[international trade]] and its undesirable consequence, [[contraband]]. ===Pirámide de Mayo=== [[File:Piramide-de-Mayo-Buenos-Aires.jpg|150px|thumb|left|''Pirámide de Mayo'', July 2005.]] {{Main|Pirámide de Mayo}} The Pirámide de Mayo ("May Pyramid"), located in the center of the Plaza de Mayo, is the oldest national monument in Buenos Aires. Its construction was ordered in 1811 by the Primera Junta to celebrate the first anniversary of the May Revolution. It was renovated in 1856, under the direction of [[Prilidiano Pueyrredón]]. In 1912, after having undergone numerous modifications, it was moved 63 meters to the east, with the idea that a much larger monument would eventually be constructed around it. The monument is crowned by an allegory of Liberty, the work of the French sculptor Joseph Dubourdieu. From the ground to the peak of the statue's [[Phrygian cap]], the Pyramid measures 18.76 meters. ===Monument to Bartolomé Mitre=== [[File:Buenos Aires - Monumento Bartolome Mitre.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Monument to Bartolomé Mitre]] The Monumento a Bartolomé Mitre in the Plaza Mitre was created by the Italian sculptors Luis Calandra, David and Eduardo Rubino. It is an imposing work carried out in white Carrara marble that dominates the square from the high part of the ravine.<ref>[http://www.conozcabuenosaires.com.ar/monumentos/mitre.htm "Monumento a Bartolomé Mitre"]</ref> [[Bartolomé Mitre]] Martinez (1821 &ndash; 1906) was an statesman, military figure, and author. He was the President of Argentina from 1862 to 1868. As a liberal, he was an opponent of [[Juan Manuel de Rosas]], and was forced into exile where he worked as a soldier and journalist in [[Uruguay]], [[Bolivia]], [[Peru]], and [[Chile]]. Mitre returned to Argentina after the defeat of Rosas. He led the revolt of Buenos Aires against [[Justo José de Urquiza]]'s federal system, and was appointed to important posts in the provincial government after Buenos Aires seceded from the [[Argentine Confederation|Confederation]]. Mitre was also the founder of [[La Nación]], one of South America's leading newspapers. He wrote poetry and fiction ([http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/servlet/SirveObras/12048622000195951865846/index.htm Soledad: novela original]). He translated [[Dante]]'s ''La divina commedia'' (''[[The Divine Comedy]]'') into Spanish. ===Puente de la Mujer=== [[File:PuenteDeLaMujer.jpg|left|400px|thumb|Puente de la Mujer &ndash; The short pylon seen below and beyond the cantelever spar is the resting place when the bridge is open]] {{Main|Puente de la Mujer}} The Puente de la Mujer, in the Puerto Madero district, is a pedestrian bridge opened in 2001. It was designed by Valencian architect and engineer [[Santiago Calatrava]]. The bridge is 160 meters long and 6 meters wide, with a metallic mast that rises 39 meters. The bridge swings aside when a ship needs to pass through. The bridge was built in Spain and moved in parts to Buenos Aires in many shipments. Artistically, the author states that the work represent the figure of a couple dancing tango, where the white mast represents the man, and the curved silhouette of the bridge represents the woman.<ref>[http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?menu_id=18&info=imperdibles&atractivo=137&orden=26 "Puente de la Mujer"]</ref> ===Las Nereidas=== [[File:Buenos Aires - Las Nereidas.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Las Nereidas by Lola Mora]] The Monumento Las Nereidas, or "Font of the [[Nereids]]", is now located at "Costanera Sur". It was created by [[Lola Mora]] (1866 &ndash; 1936), in 1903. The sensuous and erotic sculpture met bureaucratic problems at the city's Deliberative Council, which had it moved from place to place. Lola Mora was a rebel and a pioneer of women in her artistic field. At 20 years of age she began painting [[portrait]]s, but soon turned to sculpting [[marble]] and [[granite]]. She studied art in her home province and then, with a scholarship, in Rome, Italy, where she created her greatest works, some of them by request of the Argentine government. In 1900 she was charged with creating two bas-reliefs for the [[Historical House of Tucumán]] (seat of Argentina's Declaration of Independence of 1816).<ref>[http://www.practicosas.com.ar/curiosidades/mujarg.htm Practicosas.com.ar "Lola Mora"]</ref> ===The Obelisk=== [[File:Buenos Aires - Obelisco.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Obelisk of Buenos Aires|The Obelisk]].]] {{Main|Obelisk of Buenos Aires}} The Obelisk ({{lang-es|Obelisco de Buenos Aires}}) is one of the city's most famous landmarks and a venue for various cultural activities and other events. It is placed at the heart of Buenos Aires. [[Porteño|''Porteños'']] refer to it simply as ''El Obelisco''. The obelisk was built in May 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first founding of the city. It is located in the center of the ''[[Plaza de la República (Buenos Aires)|Plaza de la República]]'' (Republic Square), the spot where the [[Flag of Argentina|Argentine flag]] was flown for the first time in Buenos Aires, at the intersection of [[9 de Julio Avenue|Nueve de Julio]] and Corrientes avenues. Its total height is {{convert|67|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} and its base area is {{convert|49|m2|ft2|abbr=off|sp=us}}. It was designed by architect [[Alberto Prebisch]], and its construction took barely four weeks. The obelisk is one of the main icons of the city, and a venue for various cultural activities (usually sponsored by the city government) and other events. It is the traditional gathering spot for sports fans to celebrate when their favourite team wins, especially from the [[Argentine national football team|national football team]], often resulting in colorful events that attract media coverage. It was also used by several acrobatic troupes to perform high-wire acts. ===Monument to Guillermo Rawson=== [[File:Buenos Aires - Monumento Guillermo Rawson.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Monumento Guillermo Rawson]] The Monumento a Guillermo Rawson is another bronze statue created by Héctor Rocha. The marble base has the figures of Reason and Science. On the right side a virile figure in Roman attire symbolizes Eloquence and a seated figure on the left side represents Knowledge. Inscribed on the front of the shaft is ''Laus - Virtus - 1821-1890''.<ref>[http://www.acceder.gov.ar/es/1204919 "Guillermo Rawson"] Ministerio de Cultura. Retrieved 31 January 2009.</ref> [[Guillermo Rawson]] (1821–1890) was a doctor and one of the most influential politicians in nineteenth century [[Argentina]]. In 1853 he was jailed for opposing [[Nazario Benavidez]], the de facto governor of San Juan. The following year he was a member of the Paraná Congress, and from 1862 he was Interior Minister in the government of [[Bartolomé Mitre]]. As Interior Minister in 1862 he met Captain [[Sir Love Jones-Parry, 1st Baronet|Love Jones-Parry]] and [[Lewis Jones (Patagonia)|Lewis Jones]] who were on their way to Patagonia to investigate whether it was suitable for the creation of a [[Welsh settlement in Argentina|Welsh settlement]] there. Rawson came to an agreement that resulted in the creation of a colony in the [[Chubut Valley]] in the following years. The city of [[Rawson, Chubut|Rawson]], the capital of the province of [[Chubut Province|Chubut]] was named after him.<ref>[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19391 "Guillermo Rawson"] Find A Grave. Retrieved 31 January 2009.</ref> ===Monument to Julio Argentino Roca=== [[File:Buenos Aires-2687f-Monumento a Roca.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Monument to General Julio Argentino Roca]] The ''Monumento a Julio Argentino Roca'' was inaugurated on October 19, 1941 in the plazoleta Ricardo Tanturi at the intersection of Av. Julio A. Roca and Peru street. It has a base of marble with two imposing figures, Fatherland and Work, and a granite pedestal crowned by an equestrian sculpture in brass made by the Uruguayan sculptor José Zorrilla of San Martin. Recently the monument has been defaced with graffiti, despite being fenced.<ref>[http://argentina.indymedia.org/news/2008/09/623903.php "Piden la limpieza y restauración del Monumento de Julio Argentino Roca"] Argentina IndyMedia. Retrieved 31 January 2009.</ref> [[Julio Argentino Roca]] (1843–1914) was an army general who served as President of Argentina from 1880 to 1886 and again from 1898 to 1904. While in the army, he applied ruthless measures to subdue or destroy the Indian communities of the [[Pampas]], and it was these successes that led to his first election as president shortly after suppressing an attempted revolution by [[Carlos Tejedor (politician)|Carlos Tejedor]].<ref name=Tenenbaum1996>{{Cite book | last1 = Tenenbaum | first1 = Barbara A. | last2 = In Chief | first2 = ed | year = 1996 | title = Encyclopedia of Latin American history and culture | isbn = 978-0-684-19253-6 | publisher = Scribner | location = New York | postscript = . }}</ref> ===Monument to Juan Manuel de Rosas=== [[File:Estatua a Rosas en Palermo.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Juan Manuel de Rosas]] Palermo has a major monument to [[Juan Manuel de Rosas]], surrounded by a high fence. Juan Manuel de Rosas (1793–1877), ruled Argentina from 1829 to 1852. Rosas was one of the first famous caudillos in [[Ibero-America]] and through his rule united Argentina, provided an efficient government and strengthened the economy. Rosas rule was filled with violence — he killed his opponents and anyone else who would not support him (hence the iron fence). He was overthrown in 1852 and spent the rest of his life in exile in England. ===Monument to General San Martin=== [[File:Monumento SanMartin BA.jpg|thumb|left|300px|General San Martin]] This monument to General [[José de San Martín]] is in the [[Plaza San Martín (Buenos Aires)|Plaza San Martín]]. It was created by [[Louis-Joseph Daumas]] in 1862. San Martín (1778–1850), was the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain. He is the national hero of Argentina. ==Official Buildings== ===Cabildo=== [[File:Cabildo de Buenos Aires.JPG|280px|thumb|right|Buenos Aires Cabildo.]] {{Main|Buenos Aires Cabildo}} The [[Cabildo (council)|Cabildo]] building was used as the government house during the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|colonial times]] of the [[Viceroyalty of the River Plate]]. The original building was finished in 1610 but was soon found to be too small and had to be expanded. Over the years many changes have been made. In 1940, the architect Mario Buschiazzo reconstructed the colonial features of the Cabildo using various original documents. Currently, the Cabildo hosts the National Museum of the Cabildo and the May Revolution (Museo Nacional del Cabildo y la Revolución de Mayo), in which paintings, artifacts, clothes and jewellery of the 18th century are on display. The patio of the Cabildo still has its 1835 ornamental water well. ===Casa Rosada=== [[File:Casa rosada 3.jpg|thumb|left|242px|The Casa Rosada from the north]] {{Main|Casa Rosada}} The Casa Rosada ("Pink House") is the official seat of the [[executive branch]] of the Argentine government. The Casa Rosada sits at the eastern end of the Plaza de Mayo, a large square which since the 1580 foundation of Buenos Aires has been surrounded by many of the most important political institutions of the city and of Argentina. The site, originally at the waterline of the [[Río de la Plata]], was first occupied by the "Fort of Juan Baltazar of Austria," a structure built on the orders of the founder of Buenos Aires, Captain [[Juan de Garay]], in 1594. Its 1713 replacement by a masonry structure (the "Castle of San Miguel") complete with turrets made the spot the effective nerve center of colonial government. Following independence, President [[Bernardino Rivadavia]] had a [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] portico built at the entrance in 1825, and the building remained unchanged until, in 1857, President [[Justo José de Urquiza]] ordered the fort demolished in favor of a new customs building, built under the direction of [[English settlement in Argentina|British Argentine]] architect Edward Taylor. The [[Italianate]] structure was Buenos Aires' largest building from 1859 until the 1890s.<ref>[http://www.museo.gov.ar/historia/indice.htm "Museum of the Casa Rosada: history" {{es icon}}]</ref> ===Metropolitan Cathedral=== [[File:BuenosAiresCathedral1.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Main façade of the Cathedral.]] {{Main|Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral}} The Metropolitan Cathedral ({{lang-es|Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires}}) is the main Catholic church in Buenos Aires. It is located in the city centre, overlooking Plaza de Mayo, on the corner of San Martín and Rivadavia streets, in the [[San Nicolás, Buenos Aires|San Nicolás neighbourhood]]. It is the mother church of the [[Archdiocese of Buenos Aires]]. The Cathedral of Buenos Aires was rebuilt several times since its humble origins in the 16th century. The present building is a mix of architectural styles, with an 18th-century [[nave]] and [[dome]] and a severe, 19th century [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] [[façade]] without towers. The interior keeps precious 18th century statues and [[altarpiece]]s, as well as abundant [[Neo-Renaissance]] and [[Baroque Revival architecture|Neo-Baroque]] decoration.<ref>[http://www.arzbaires.org.ar/catedral1.htm Official site of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires] {{es icon}}</ref> ===Museo de Arte Hispano Fernández Blanco=== {{Main|Museo de Arte Hispano Fernández Blanco}} This museum of art is on Suipacha, in the Retiro neighborhood, in a large house built in the 1920s by architect Martín Noel in a neo-colonial style. The Buenos Aires town council bought the house in 1936, along with the art collection, which became the basis of the "Museo de Arte Colonial" that opened there a year later. In 1943, Isaac Fernández Blanco donated his collection to the museum, and in 1947 the museum was given its current name. The legacy of the Fernández Blanco is considered one of the most important in Spanish American art, including silverware from Peru, and from de Río de la Plata; Peruvian and Cuzco paintings; Jesuit and Quito images, Brazilian furniture and decorative arts.<ref>[http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?menu_id=18&info=imperdibles&atractivo=581&orden=19 "Museo de Arte Hispano Fernández Blanco"]</ref> ===National Congress=== [[File:ArgentineCongressCC.jpg|thumb|left|250px|National Congress Building]] {{Main|Argentine National Congress}} The National Congress ({{lang-es|Congreso de la Nación Argentina}}) building is the seat of the [[legislature|legislative branch]] of the government of Argentina. It is situated at the end of [[Avenida de Mayo]], at the other end of which is located the [[Casa Rosada]]. Designed by the Italian architect [[Vittorio Meano]], the building was under construction between 1898 and 1906 when it was precariously opened, to be later finished by [[Julio Dormal]]. As time went by, the building proved too small for its purpose, and in 1974 the construction of the ''Edificio Anexo'', which now holds the deputies' offices, was started. In front of the building lies the Square of Congress ({{lang-es|Plaza del Congreso}}) which is popular with tourists, as well as a preferred location for protestors and those who want to voice their opinion about Congress activities. ===National Library=== [[File:Biblioteca Nacional Buenos Aires.JPG|250px|thumb|right|The National Library, designed in 1961 by [[Clorindo Testa]], Francisco Bullrich and Alicia Cazzaniga.]] {{Main|Biblioteca Nacional de la Republica Argentina}} The National Library ({{lang-es|Biblioteca Nacional de la República Argentina}}) is the largest library in Argentina and one of the most important in the Americas. It is located in the [[barrio]] of [[Recoleta, Buenos Aires|Recoleta]]. Originally named the Public Library of Buenos Aires and founded in September 1810 by decree of the first Government Junta of the May Revolution first Government Junta, it later became the country's only national library when it redefined its mission in 1884 and formally changed its name to the National Library of Argentina. The first headquarters, an old 18th century mansion that belonged to the Jesuits, was located on the corner of Moreno Street and Peru Street at the Manzana de Las Luces.<ref>[http://www.bn.gov.ar/AC_Historia.aspx Biblioteca Nacional de la Republica Argentina. Antecedentes Históricos] {{es icon}}</ref> ===San Martín Palace=== {{Main|San Martín Palace}} San Martín Palace ({{lang-es|Palacio San Martín}}) is located in [[Plaza San Martín (Buenos Aires)|Plaza San Martín]] in the heart of Buenos Aires]. Formerly Anchorena Palace, the building was acquired by the Argentine government in 1936 and became the Headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Relations. At present it serves as the Ceremonial Headquarters for the Ministry. The palace contains many works of art by Argentine and American artists from the 20th century, such as [[Antonio Berni]], Pablo Curatela Manes, [[Lino Enea Spilimbergo]], and [[Roberto Matta]]. ==Other Buildings== ===Club de Pescadores=== [[File:06-05-17.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Club de Pescadores, Buenos Aires, Argentina.]] {{Main|Club de Pescadores}} The Club de Pescadores ("Fisherman's Club") is situated on the banks of the [[Río de la Plata]] in Costanera Norte Avenue. In 1926 a plan was initiated to construct a pier with a building on it to house the social activities of the club. This received presidential consent in 1928 and construction of the pier was completed in 1930. The building on the pier, still in existence today, was designed by José N. Quartino and officially opened on 16 January 1937 in the presence the [[President of Argentina|Argentina president]] General [[Agustín Pedro Justo|Agustín P. Justo]]. Declared a national historic monument in 2001, the building has become an icon of the city of Buenos Aires.<ref>[http://www.club-pescadores.com.ar/s_historia.htm Official Website of Club de Pescadores]</ref> ===Confitería El Molino=== [[File:Ancient El Molino Confiteria.jpg|thumb|left|Old El Molino Coffeehouse.]] {{Main|Confitería El Molino}} The Confitería El Molino is an [[Art Nouveau]] style [[coffeehouse]] located on the corner of Callao Av. and [[Rivadavia Avenue|Rivadavia Av.]], in front of the [[Argentine National Congress]]. In 1915 Cayetano Brenna, a famous confectioner, commissioned the Italian architect [[Francisco Gianotti]], to design the building that would house the café on its ground floor. When finished in 1917 the building, which was on the site of an existing café, was one of the highest buildings in the city with a corner turret which was illuminated from the inside with electric light, stained glass windows and windmill sails. El Molino and Galería Güemes were two of Gianotti's greatest works and represent important examples of [[Art Nouveau]] style architecture in Buenos Aires. Over the years El Molino became a favourite meeting place for the rich and famous. The café closed on February 23, 1997 and today is only rarely opened to the public for events designed to advertise the urgent need to restore the building before its final disintegration. In 1997 El Molino was declared a [[List of National Historic Monuments of Argentina|National Historic Monument]]. ===Galerías Pacífico=== [[File:GaleriasPacifico1.JPG|thumb|200px|Frescos in the cupola of Galerías Pacífico. The central panel in the image was painted by [[Antonio Berni]].]] {{Main|Galerías Pacífico}} The Galerías Pacífico is a shopping mall located on [[Florida Street]], at the junction with Córdoba Avenue. The [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux Arts]] building was designed by the architects Emilio Agrelo and Roland Le Vacher in 1889 to accommodate a shop called the ''Argentine Bon Marché'', modelled on the [[Le Bon Marché]] in Paris. In 1945 the building was remodelled by architects José Aslan and Héctor Ezcurra, and the offices were separated from the rest of the building. A large central cupola was constructed and decorated with 12 [[fresco]]s by artists [[Lino Enea Spilimbergo]], [[Antonio Berni]], [[Juan Carlos Castagnino]], Manuel Colmeiro and Demetrio Urruchúa. These frescos, executed in 1946, are some of the most important in Buenos Aires. After having been abandoned for years, the building was renovated by Juan Carlos López and Associates and re-opened in 1990 as the shopping arcade ''Galerías Pacífico''. Four more frescos by Romulo Maccio, Josefina Robirosa, [[Guillermo Roux]] and Carlos Alonso were added to the cupola. In addition to the shopping arcade the building also contains the Jorge Luis Borges Cultural Centre and the ''[[Julio Bocca]] Dance Studio''.<ref>[http://www.galeriaspacifico.com.ar Official website of Galerías Pacífico] {{es icon}}</ref> ===Kavanagh building=== [[File:Kavanagh building 15-11-2005.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Kavanagh building through San Martín Square's [[jacarandá]]s]] {{Main|Kavanagh building}} The Kavanagh Building ({{lang-es|Edificio Kavanagh}}) is located at 1065 Florida St. in the [[barrios of Buenos Aires|barrio]] of [[Retiro, Buenos Aires|Retiro]], overlooking [[Plaza San Martín (Buenos Aires)|Plaza San Martín]]. It was constructed in the 1930s in the Rationalist style, by the architects Gregorio Sánchez, Ernesto Lagos and Luis María de la Torre and was finished in 1936. The building is characterised by the austerity of its lines, the lack of external ornamentation and its large prismatic volumes. It was declared a [[List of National Historic Monuments of Argentina|national historical monument]] in 1999,<ref>[http://www.clarin.com/diario/1999/04/23/e-03901d.htm 'El Kavanagh, entre los protegidos'], [[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|''Clarín'']], 1999-04-23 {{es icon}}</ref> and is one of the most impressive architectural masterpieces of Buenos Aires. Standing at a height of 120 m, it still retains its impact against the modern skyline of the city. In 1939 its facade received an award from the American Institute of Architects.<ref>[http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?menu_id=18&info=imperdibles&atractivo=239&orden=11 Edificio Kavanagh]</ref> ===Palacio Barolo=== [[File:Buenos Aires-Av. de Mayo-Palacio Barolo-1.jpg|thumb|right|210px|Palacio Barolo]] {{Main|Palacio Barolo}} Palacio Barolo is a 22-story office building located at 1370 [[Avenida de Mayo]]. The Italian architect [[Mario Palanti]] was commissioned to design the building by the empresario Luis Barolo, an Italian immigrant who had arrived in Argentina in 1890 and had made a fortune in knitted fabrics. The basic design, in [[Eclecticism in art|Eclectic style]], was conceived simultaneously with one for the [[Palacio Salvo]] in [[Montevideo]], Uruguay. The Palacio Barolo was designed in accordance with the cosmology of Dante's [[Divine Comedy]], motivated by the architect's admiration for [[Dante Alighieri|Alighieri]]. When completed in 1923 it was the tallest building, not only in the city, but also in the whole of South America. It remained the city's tallest building until 1935 when, on completion, the [[Kavanagh Building]] took over this title. The lighthouse at the top of the building can be seen all the way in Montevideo, Uruguay.<ref>[http://www.pbarolo.com.ar/homein.htm Palacio Barolo Website]</ref> troLOLollolollolollolollolollolooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooololollolololollololol ===Teatro Colón=== {{Main|Teatro Colón}} The Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre) opened in 1908 and is one of the World's major opera houses. The present theatre, the second with that name, opened in 1908 after twenty years under construction. The auditorium is horseshoe-shaped, has 2,487 seats (slightly more than, say, the [[Royal Opera House]] in [[Covent Garden]], London, England), standing room for 1,000 and a stage which is 20 m wide, 15 m high and 20 m deep.<ref>[http://www.teatrocolon.org.ar/inicio.htm Official site of the Teatro Colon]</ref> The [[acoustics]] are considered one of the best five acoustics in opera in the world. The theatre is bounded by the extremely wide [[9 de Julio Avenue]] (technically Cerrito Street), Libertad Street (the main entrance), Arturo Toscanini Street, and Tucumán Street.<ref>[http://www.teatrocolon.org.ar/English/history.htm History of the Colón Theatre]</ref> It is in the heart of the city on a site once occupied by [[Ferrocarril Oeste de Buenos Aires|Ferrocarril Oeste]]'s ''Plaza Parque'' station. ==See also== {{Portal|Buenos Aires}} * [[List of National Historic Monuments of Argentina]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External sources== *[http://www.intertournet.com.ar/capfederal/monumentos/default.htm "MONUMENTOS HISTORICOS DE CAPITAL FEDERAL"] Intertournet *[http://www.monumentosysitios.gov.ar/catalogo/ CATALOGO DE MONUMENTOS] Comisión Nacional de Museos y de Monumentos y Lugares Históricos *[http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?info=imperdibles&menu_id=18&id=27&&lang=en "MUST-SEE PLACES"] Government of Argentina {{coord missing|Argentina}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Landmarks In Buenos Aires}} [[Category:Culture in Buenos Aires]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Buenos Aires]] [[Category:National Historic Monuments of Argentina]] [[Category:Argentina-related lists]] [[Category:Landmarks by city|Buenos Aires]] [[Category:Visitor attractions in Buenos Aires]]'