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Pirámide de<br />
Mayo<br />
The Pirámide (right) is dedicated<br />
to the revolutionaries<br />
of 18<strong>10</strong>, who orchestrated<br />
Argentina’s independence.<br />
A nearby plaque commemorates<br />
Julio López, a key<br />
witness who went missing<br />
during a trial in 2006.<br />
% Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo<br />
A plaza fixture since 1977, Las Madres are the<br />
defiant mothers of the young men and women who<br />
disappeared during the 1976–82 military dictatorship.<br />
Anyone is welcome to join in the weekly marches.<br />
( Ministerio de<br />
Economía<br />
The Economy Ministry<br />
ushered in the Officialist<br />
architectural style, later<br />
championed by Perón<br />
(see p35). Check the lobby<br />
for two brooding 1939<br />
oil paintings by muralists<br />
Naguil and Quirós.<br />
$<br />
* Protests<br />
Befitting the political<br />
heart of the nation, lively<br />
protests (left) are staged<br />
nearly every day in and<br />
around the Plaza. Always<br />
peaceful, an exception<br />
was the riot of December<br />
2001 (see p33).<br />
) Plazoleta de San<br />
Francisco<br />
This sculpture garden<br />
contains four marble<br />
figures that previously<br />
surrounded the Pirámide<br />
de Mayo. Individually, the<br />
statues represent<br />
Astronomy, Navigation,<br />
Geography, and Industry.<br />
For information on Argentina’s history, See pp32–3.<br />
Banco de la ^ Nación<br />
The national bank<br />
contains an amusing<br />
scale model of the Plaza<br />
as it appeared during the<br />
bank’s mid-20th-century<br />
construction, with fine<br />
details of pedestrians<br />
and cars. Also a showstopper<br />
is the building’s<br />
superb central dome.<br />
Monument to & General Belgrano<br />
Although not remembered<br />
as a great military<br />
tactician, General Manuel<br />
Belgrano is credited with<br />
designing Argentina’s<br />
flag. He is thus depicted<br />
on horseback bearing the<br />
national colors (above).<br />
30 Years of<br />
Las Madres<br />
Heralded with rock<br />
concerts, TV specials,<br />
and political interest,<br />
the Madres de la Plaza<br />
de Mayo marked 30<br />
years in 2007. Despite a<br />
1986 rift, the Madres’<br />
message has never<br />
been diluted or coopted.<br />
Today, their<br />
efforts are directed<br />
toward identifying<br />
young adults who, as<br />
infants, were taken<br />
away from their birth<br />
mothers, as well as<br />
bringing to justice exmilitary<br />
officers from<br />
the dictatorship era.<br />
<strong>Buenos</strong> <strong>Aires</strong>’ <strong>Top</strong> <strong>10</strong> 9
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