The obelisk of Buenos Aires (in Spanish: obelisco de Buenos Aires) is a modern monument placed at the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The obelisk was built in May 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city. It is located in the center of the Plaza de la República (Republic Square), the spot where the Argentine flag was flown for the first time in Buenos Aires, at the intersection of Nueve de Julio and Corrientes avenues. Its total height is 67 meters and its base area is 49 square meters. The architect in charge of its design was Alberto Prebisch . The obelisk was erected in barely four weeks.
The obelisk has become the main icon of the city. It is a tourist attraction and a venue for cultural activities (usually sponsored by the city government) and other events.
For some time during the 1970s, during the Peronist government of Isabel Martínez de Perón, a ring-shaped sign was hung around the obelisk, with the motto El silencio es salud (Silence is Health). Although it was allegedly geared against motorists creating excessive noise, it was widely interpreted as a statement calling Argentines to refrain from expressing their political views.
The obelisk was used by several acrobatic troupes to perform high-wire acts.
Lines B, C, and D of the Buenos Aires Metro have stations in close proximity to the obelisk.
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Last updated: 10-21-2005 00:36:47
