Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pirámide de
Mayo
The Pirámide
(right)
is dedi-
cated to the revolutionaries
of 1810, who orchestrated
Argentina's independence.
A nearby plaque commemo-
rates Julio López, a key
witness who went missing
during a trial in 2006.
%
Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo
$
^
Banco de la
Nación
The national bank
contains an amusing
scale model of the Plaza
as it appeared during the
bank's mid-20th-century
construction, with fine
details of pedestrians
and cars. Also a show-
stopper is the building's
superb central dome.
A plaza fixture since 1977, Las Madres are the
defiant mothers of the young men and women who
disappeared during the 1976-82 military dictatorship.
Anyone is welcome to join in the weekly marches.
&
Monument to
General Belgrano
Although not remem-
bered as a great military
tactician, General Manuel
Belgrano is credited with
designing Argentina's
flag. He is thus depicted
on horseback bearing the
national colors
(above)
.
30 Years of
Las Madres
Heralded with rock
concerts, TV specials,
and political interest,
the Madres de la Plaza
de Mayo marked 30
years in 2007. Despite a
1986 rift, the Madres'
message has never
been diluted or co-
opted. Today, their
efforts are directed
toward identifying
young adults who, as
infants, were taken
away from their birth
mothers, as well as
bringing to justice ex-
military officers from
the dictatorship era.
*
Protests
Befitting the political
heart of the nation, lively
protests
(left)
are staged
nearly every day in and
around the Plaza. Always
peaceful, an exception
was the riot of December
2001
(see p33)
.
(
Ministerio de
)
Plazoleta de San
Economía
The Economy Ministry
ushered in the Officialist
architectural style, later
championed by Perón
(see p35)
. Check the lob-
by for two brooding 1939
oil paintings by muralists
Naguil and Quirós.
Francisco
This sculpture garden
contains four marble
figures that previously
surrounded the Pirámide
de Mayo. Individually, the
statues represent
Astronomy, Navigation,
Geography, and Industry.
9
For information on Argentina's history,
See pp32-3
.
