Congressional Plaza, Public square in Monserrat, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congressional Plaza is a public square in the Monserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires, formed by three connected sections that cover three hectares. The three parts create a continuous green space in front of the Congress building, with pathways, benches and several monuments linked by steps and open lawns.

A businessman named Pedro Lorea donated the land for a carriage stop in 1782, marking the beginning of the square's development. Construction of the Congress building in the late 19th century led to the formal design of the entire plaza with its monuments and gardens.

The bronze Republic figure on the central monument watches over the entire square, holding two tablets that recall the constitutional assembly and the Congress of Tucumán. Locals often use the monument steps as a meeting point, especially on weekends when families visit the water features and sculptures.

The Kilometer Zero monolith in the Mariano Moreno section marks the symbolic starting point for all Argentine national highways. The square is accessible around the clock, and its open layout makes it easy to move between the three connected areas.

The Thinker in the Mariano Moreno section was bought in 1907, one of the few casts made before Auguste Rodin destroyed the mold. It is among the earliest pieces placed in the plaza, predating the 1910 inauguration and the 1914 Monument to the Two Congresses.