Buenos Aires' historical sites stand as testament to events throughout Argentinean history, from its colonial era to the years following the nation's 1816 victory in its war of independence with Spain. Travelers can explore monuments to citizens who fell under state oppression as well as public squares where some of Argentina's most momentous historical events occurred.
Plaza de Mayo
Plaza de Mayo (buenosaires.gov.ar) has been the site of celebrations, demonstrations and pivotal political events since its establishment in 1580. It was the site of the initial 1810 uprising that sparked Argentina's six-year war for independence and the gathering point for protestors in 1945 who successfully pressured the government into releasing Juan Peron from prison. Argentineans elected Peron president in 1946 and 1951, and he returned from exile to serve a third term in 1973. Plaza de Mayo is also the location of many prominent Buenos Aires landmarks, including the Cabildo and the Piramide de Mayo, a pyramidal monument erected by Argentinian revolutionaries in 1811 to commemorate the first anniversary of their uprising against Spain. Plaza de Mayo also features a monument to General Manuel Belgrano -- a hero of the nation's war for independence and designer of Argentina's flag -- that depicts the revolutionary on horseback.
The Cabildo served as the Spanish government's base during Argentina's colonial days, and its construction proceeded in fits and starts between the early 17th century and 1764, when major construction was completed. The building, the Plaza de Mayo's only surviving colonial-era structure, hosts a museum commemorating the May Revolution of 1810, during which Argentina declared its independence from Spain. Every Thursday and Friday, the Cabildo hosts a craft fair where local artisans offer their wares.
Club Atletico's (exccdytclubatletico.com.ar) innocuous-sounding name belies the unspeakable horrors that took place within its walls during the early years of Argentina's "Dirty War." Between 1976, when a military junta seized power, and the restoration of civilian rule in 1983, the government mercilessly cracked down on opponents real and imagined. Nearly 30,000 Argentineans became "desaparecidos," or "the disappeared"; these people were seized by the military and never seen again, according to the International Center for Transitional Justice. Though Club Atletico's main building was demolished in 1977 to make way for a highway, the site admits visitors during breaks in ongoing forensic archaeology work.
La Manzana de Las Luces
La Manzana de las Luces (manzanadelasluces.gov.ar) was the intellectual hub of colonial-era Buenos Aires and served as the Jesuit order's base in the Spanish colony. The order constructed the Iglesia San Ignacio, one of Argentina's oldest churches, and established its headquarters within the Procuraduria building during the late 17th century. The Procuraduria later became the site of the University of Buenos Aires, and the block is also the location of the Casas Virreinales, where the first independent Argentinean congress held its inaugural meeting. Guided tours in Spanish are offered daily, but you can only book a tour with an English-speaking guide when visiting with a group of 20 people or more and reserving your tour at least two weeks in advance.
Since 2006 Jim Orrill has produced reviews and essays on popular culture for publications including Lemurvision and "Sexis." Based in Western North Carolina, Orrill graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina with a bachelor's degree in office systems.