La Plaza de Mayo, the heart of Buenos Aires
April 27th 2011 07:37
When Juan de Garay drew up the plans for Buenos Aires in 1580, he placed the large Plaza de Fuerte or Square of the Fortress at its centre. Following the dictates of Spanish law, it comprised a church, a public meeting place, a marketplace and civic buildings. It was the hub and the heart of the new city.
The Plaza’s name has changed a number of times over the centuries. Plaza de Fuerte gave way to Plaza del Mercado, then in 1807 it became Plaza de la Victoria to mark the country’s victory over the invading British and finally, when Argentina shook off Spanish rule on May 25, 1810, it became Plaza de Mayo.
Despite the changes in name and the inevitable changes in the shape and size of city, Plaza de Mayo is still very much the heart of Buenos Aires. It lies at the meeting point of two major roads – Roque Saenz Pena and Avenida Rivadavia. It is home to some of Argentina’s most important and famous buildings, such as the legendary Casa Roseda, or Pink House.
Plaza de Mayo has been and still is, the scene of Argentina’s most significant historical and political moments. Over the centuries crowds have rallied here for both the highs and the lows of the country’s checkered history.
Finally, the Plaza is a focal point for protests and demonstrations. Most start and or end here. Argentines are passionate and vocal protesters. Their history has given them a gret deal to be passionate and vocal about. When I passed through two years ago, the War Veterans were encamped in one corner, They looked as if they had been there for some time already and they looked as if they would be there for some time to come. The most poignant and affecting demonstration takes place every Thursday at 3.30 pm when a group of mothers turns up to protest and mourn the still unexplained disappearance of their children during the Military Regime of 1976 to 1983. They call themselves Los Madres de la Plaza de Mayo.
The Plaza’s name has changed a number of times over the centuries. Plaza de Fuerte gave way to Plaza del Mercado, then in 1807 it became Plaza de la Victoria to mark the country’s victory over the invading British and finally, when Argentina shook off Spanish rule on May 25, 1810, it became Plaza de Mayo.
A peaceful corner of Plaza de Mayo
Despite the changes in name and the inevitable changes in the shape and size of city, Plaza de Mayo is still very much the heart of Buenos Aires. It lies at the meeting point of two major roads – Roque Saenz Pena and Avenida Rivadavia. It is home to some of Argentina’s most important and famous buildings, such as the legendary Casa Roseda, or Pink House.
Plaza de Mayo has been and still is, the scene of Argentina’s most significant historical and political moments. Over the centuries crowds have rallied here for both the highs and the lows of the country’s checkered history.
Finally, the Plaza is a focal point for protests and demonstrations. Most start and or end here. Argentines are passionate and vocal protesters. Their history has given them a gret deal to be passionate and vocal about. When I passed through two years ago, the War Veterans were encamped in one corner, They looked as if they had been there for some time already and they looked as if they would be there for some time to come. The most poignant and affecting demonstration takes place every Thursday at 3.30 pm when a group of mothers turns up to protest and mourn the still unexplained disappearance of their children during the Military Regime of 1976 to 1983. They call themselves Los Madres de la Plaza de Mayo.
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