The Obelisk, known locally as the “Obelisco”, is the most iconic symbol of Buenos Aires. Just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York, this monument is deeply connected to the identity of the city and its people.
It was inaugurated in 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first founding of Buenos Aires. The architect behind the project was Alberto Prebisch, a key figure in Argentine modernism and also the designer of the nearby Gran Rex Theater.
The Obelisk is located where the Argentine flag was raised for the first time in the city. Anyone visiting Buenos Aires is sure to take a photo of this monument, placed at the intersection of Avenida 9 de Julio—one of the widest avenues in the world—and Corrientes Avenue, a major cultural hotspot.
Structure and Features
The Obelisk is also a central point of the Metrobus system, a public transport network inaugurated in 2013 that runs along Avenida 9 de Julio.
It stands 67.5 meters tall, with a base measuring 6.8 meters. There’s a single entrance door facing west toward Corrientes Avenue. Inside, a marine-style staircase of 206 steps with seven landings leads up to the top, where four small windows serve as a lookout. Above them, the monument ends with a lightning rod, invisible from the ground. Entry is currently closed to the public.
Did You Know?
The Obelisk was once highly controversial. Just three years after it was built, the city council voted to demolish it, but the mayor at the time vetoed the decision. Over the years, it has become a key gathering point for protests and celebrations, especially after major sporting victories.
In 2011, for its 75th anniversary, a special tour allowed 75 local residents to climb the monument—one for each year of its existence.
Facts and Curiosities
The monument’s apex begins at 63.5 meters, with a top section that measures 3.5 meters by 3.5 meters. Its blunt tip is 40 cm wide and hides a lightning rod, whose cables run through the structure.
Legend has it that inside the Obelisk is a sealed iron box containing a photo of the construction engineer and a letter for the future, intended for those who may one day demolish the monument.
History and Construction
The Obelisk is a hollow concrete structure built in just 60 days. Construction began on March 20, 1936, and it was inaugurated on May 23, 1936. Architect Alberto Prebisch designed it to mark the first Spanish settlement in the Río de la Plata.
The site was previously occupied by the San Nicolás de Bari Church, where the Argentine flag was first raised in 1812. This historic moment is remembered in an inscription on the north side of the Obelisk.
The monument was built by the German-Argentine consortium GEOPÉ, which completed it in record time using quick-drying cement. It required 680 m³ of cement and 1,360 m² of white stone from Córdoba.
Sadly, the project also saw tragedy: an Italian worker died during the laying of the foundation slabs over the tunnels of subway line B, which made the Obelisk’s solid base possible.
Public Reaction and Legacy
After its construction, many locals ridiculed or criticized the Obelisk. In 1939, the city council voted for its demolition, citing safety and aesthetic concerns. But the mayor vetoed the order, and later attempts to remove it also failed.
Over time, its rationalist design and bold modernity sparked debates between progressives and traditionalists. Today, it’s seen as a true cultural icon, frequently featured in demonstrations and celebrations, similar to Plaza de Mayo.
The Obelisk has been the center of attention many times. In 1998, Greenpeace activists climbed it to hang a banner saying “Save the climate.” In 1987, a protective fence was installed to prevent graffiti and damage.
Where Is the Obelisk?
The Obelisk is located in Plaza de la República, right at the crossroads of Corrientes and 9 de Julio avenues, in the San Nicolás neighborhood. It’s one of the most photographed and recognized landmarks in all of Argentina.
