Plaza de Mayo

The most symbolically important site in the city
Noteworthy for: The plaza was founded in 1580, the same year as the city.

Word to the wise: Outside Cabildo, Buenos Aires’ oldest town hall, is a small artisan fair (Thu, Fri: 11am - 6pm).
As Buenos Aires’ first central square, Plaza de Mayo has seen the nation’s traumas and celebrations played out on its pavements from the thousands cheering Peron and Evita from that famous balcony to the police shooting of five protesters during the 2001 economic crisis.

Packed with historical monuments, a walk around the plaza is like a walk through the nation's significant events. The Pirámide de Mayo, an obelisk, was built in 1811 to mark the first anniversary of Buenos Aires’ independence from Spain, and Casa Rosada has been the seat of government since 1860.

Most moving however, is the vigil of the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. Wearing their symbolic white headscarves, they have demonstrated here since 1977 against the kidnapping, torture and execution of their children during the military government’s reign. They will be here every Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm.