Plaza de Mayo

Plaza de Mayo is the main public square in Buenos Aires and the historic political heart of Argentina, long associated with civic events and demonstrations. The square dates to the city’s colonial layout and was renamed for the May Revolution of 1810, which led to Argentine independence.

Key features around the plaza include the Casa Rosada presidential palace to the east, the Metropolitan Cathedral to the north, and the Pirámide de Mayo monument at the square’s centre. The plaza has been the site of major political events, public ceremonies and mass gatherings throughout Argentina’s modern history.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the square served as the primary urban forum for announcements, ceremonies and protests; in the late 20th century it became widely known internationally as the gathering place for the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, a civic group seeking information on disappeared persons. The plaza remains a central point for both official events and popular demonstrations.

Plaza de Mayo sits in central Buenos Aires, in the Montserrat neighbourhood, adjacent to the city’s formal government quarter and within walking distance of the historic San Telmo and Puerto Madero districts.

• Political significance: The square is a focal point for political demonstrations and public gatherings, including the weekly and seasonal commemorations held by civic groups.
• Central location: The plaza is bordered by major government and civic buildings including the presidential palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral, making it central for many historic city tours.

What to See #

• Pirámide de Mayo: Pirámide de Mayo - a commemorative monument at the plaza's centre first erected after the May Revolution; it marks the square's role in Argentine independence history.
• Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace): Casa Rosada and the presidential offices form the eastern edge of the plaza and present a notable pink-painted government façade overlooking the square.