Obelisco de Buenos Aires, Monument at Plaza de la República in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Obelisco de Buenos Aires is a stone monument on Plaza de la República where two major avenues cross. The four-sided structure in white concrete tapers as it rises and each facade carries inscriptions recalling important moments in the city's story.
The design came from Alberto Prebisch and was completed within four weeks to celebrate the city's four-hundredth anniversary. Work began in March and ended in May with hundreds of laborers on site each day.
The structure takes its name from the city and locals often use it as a meeting spot before heading to nearby theaters or bars. On weekends people gather here after soccer matches to celebrate their team or share disappointment, with the open plaza around the monument providing space for spontaneous gatherings.
The site is visible around the clock and sits at a central hub of several subway lines. The plaza around it is open and active during daytime, with the best time for photos in early morning when traffic is lighter.
The top was originally lit to emphasize height but the system did not work as planned and was removed after a short time. During construction some residents protested the demolition of the old church building that stood on the site, with the debate fueling discussion in local newspapers for weeks.
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