Under constructionAerial view of the Obelisco in 2018Obelisco de Buenos Aires and 9 de Julio AvenueTop of the Obelisk of Buenos Aires
Construction began on March 20, 1936, and it was finished on May 23 of the same year.[1] It was designed by architect Alberto Prebisch (one of the main architects of the Argentine modernism who also designed the Teatro Gran Rex, in Corrientes and Suipacha) at the request of the mayor Mariano de Vedia y Mitre (appointed by president Agustín Pedro Justo).[1] For its construction, which cost 200,000 pesos moneda nacional, 680 cubic meters (24,000 cu ft) of concrete and 1,360 square meters (14,600 sq ft) of Olaen white stone from Córdoba were used.[2][3]
The obelisk was built by the German company G.E.O.P.E. - Siemens Bauunion - Grün & Bilfinger, which completed its work in a record time of 31 days, with 157 workers. The rapid hardening Incor cement was used and was built in sections of 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) to facilitate the dumping of concrete.[4][5]
Its height is 67.5 metres (221 ft), and 63 metres (207 ft) of these are up to the initiation of the apex, which is 3.5 by 3.5 meters (11 by 11 ft). The tip is blunt, measuring 40 centimeters (16 in) and ends in a lightning rod that cannot be seen because of the height; its cables run through the interior of the obelisk.[6]
It has only one entrance (on its west side) and on its top there are four windows, that can only be reached by a straight staircase of 206 steps with 7 breaks every 6–8 meters (20–26 ft).[6]
On February 20, 1938, Roberto María Ortiz succeeded Justo as president and appointed Arturo Goyeneche as the new mayor of the city. In June 1939, the city council sanctioned the demolition of the Obelisco, citing economic, aesthetic and public safety reasons. However, the ordinance was vetoed by the municipal executive power, characterizing it as an act without merit and juridical content, because it alters the state of things emanated by the executive power, and that it was a monument under the jurisdiction and custody of the Nation and is part of its heritage.[7]
Where the Obelisk stands, there was a church dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari; it was demolished. In that church the Argentine flag was officially hoisted for the first time in Buenos Aires, in 1812. That fact is noted in one of the inscriptions on the north side of the monument.[8]
As a result of the detachments of sheets of stone covering, which occurred on the night of June 20–21, 1938, the day after a public event with the presence of president Ortiz took place there. It was decided to remove such cladding in 1943 and was replaced by another one made of polished cement, making cracks to simulate the joints of the stones. When the slabs were removed, a legend that said "Its architect was Alberto Prebisch" was also removed.[9]
In 1973, it was decorated as a Christmas tree.[9] In 1975, during the Peronist government of Isabel Perón, a ring-shaped rotating sign was hung around the obelisk, with the motto El silencio es salud (Silence is health). Although it was allegedly geared against motorists creating excessive noise, it was widely interpreted as a statement calling Argentines to refrain from expressing their political views.[10]
Throughout its history, the monument has suffered vandalism, especially politically oriented graffiti. In the 1980s, an activist group broke in and spilled paint from the top windows, causing the city government to erect a fence around its base in 1987. This move stirred controversy, but eventually proved effective in reducing the number of defacing incidents.[11]
On 1 November 2005 it was announced[12] that a comprehensive restoration, financed by the Argentine painting and restoration industry association (Ceprara), was finished. The monument was painted with 90-micrometre acrylic paint to a "Paris stone" hue, deemed more pleasant than the previously used white.[13]
On December 1, 2005, the obelisk was covered by a giant pink condom to commemorate the World AIDS Day.[14]
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the La Noche de los Lápices, the monument was converted into a giant pencil.[15]
Because of its height, el Obelisco is visible from many parts of the city.
Lines B, C, and D of the Buenos Aires Metro have stations near the monument, and are connected by a number of underground passages with commercial galleries.[16]
On this site in the St. Nicholas tower the National Flag was hoisted for the first time in the city the XXIII of August of MDCCCXII.
Translation:
Federal Capital Law enacted by the National Congress the XX of September of MDCCCLXXX initiative of the President Nicolás Avellaneda Decree of the President Julio A. Roca VI of December of MDCCCLXXX.
Translation:
Second Foundation by Juan de Garay XI of June of MDLXXX. — Poem by Baldomero Fernández Moreno
Translation:
Buenos Aires to the Republic
On the IV centenary of the foundation of the city by Don Pedro de Mendoza. II of February of MDXXXVI.
At the base of the south face, in a very small rectangle, this sonnet written by Baldomero Fernández Moreno during a tribute dinner in the Alvear Palace Hotel to Prebisch:
El Obelisco
¿Donde tenía la ciudad guardada
esta espada de plata refulgente
desenvainada repentinamente
y a los cielos azules asestada?
Ahora puede lanzarse la mirada
harta de andar rastrera y penitente
piedra arriba hacia el Sol omnipotente
y descender espiritualizada.
Rayo de luna o desgarrón de viento
en símbolo cuajado y monumento
índice, surtidor, llama, palmera.
La estrella arriba y la centella abajo,
que la idea, el ensueño y el trabajo
giren a tus pies, devanadera.
English version:
The Obelisk
Where did the city keep
this shining silver sword
[that was] suddenly unsheathed
and into the blue skies thrusted?
Now you may take a look
[it] tired of walking low and penitent
stone up towards the omnipotent Sun
and descend spiritualized.
Moonbeam or wind tear
in immobile symbol and monument
index, fountain, flame, palm tree.
The star above and the spark below,
that the idea, the dream and the work
[may] turn at your feet, winder.
Special occasions
Covered by a condom on December 1, 2005, for World AIDS Day
Celebrating 150 years of bilateral relations between Argentina and Germany on September 21, 2007
Se adoptó esta simple y honesta forma geométrica porque es la forma de los obeliscos tradicionales... Se le llamó Obelisco porque había que llamarlo de alguna manera. Yo reivindico para mi el derecho de llamarle de un modo más general y genérico «Monumento»
^Revista de Elisa Casella de Calderón, "Calle Corrientes, su historia en cinco barrios, Revista Buenos Aires nos cuenta n° 7. Ed año 200
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