| 24 Plaza de Mayo |
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Technical Specifications:
Location: Bolívar, H. Yrigoyen, Balcarce, and Rivadavia border it.
Neighbourhood: Monserrat
Subways: Line A, Plaza de Mayo Station; Line D, Catedral Station; Line E, Bolívar Station.
It is the oldest square in Buenos Aires. Its location was determined in the 2nd foundation of the city, in 1580. It is surrounded by historical and governmental buildings, such as the Cabildo, the Casa Rosada (National Government seat,) the Palace of the Government of Buenos Aires, banks, and ministries.
On June 11, 1580, Spanish Juan de Garay did the foundation ceremony of the "Ciudad de la Santísima Trinidad" and "Puerto de Santa María del Buen Ayre" in the lands that nowadays Plaza de Mayo is located. The village was raised around it.
Until half of the 17th Century, the surface was the half of the current; in 1884 an arcade that divided in two was demolished and it received its modern name.
The name is a homage to the revolution of May 25, 1810, when the neighbours from Buenos Aires gathered at the square to expel the viceroy and name the first government of the creoles. Six years later, the National independence was sworn at the square, and 1860, the constitution.
Since half of the 20th Century the square is the place of big social demonstrations, and since 1977, it is the meeting point of the "Madres de Plaza de Mayo," who claim the apparition of their kidnapped sons and daughters during the military dictatorship.
The "Pirámide de Mayo" is on the center of the square, it is a monument that has the shape of an obelisk, and it was built in 1811 to celebrate the first anniversary of the revolution.
In 1856 it was completely refurbished by artist and architect Prilidiano Pueyrredón. Its height is of 19 meters.
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