A gift from the people of Buenos Aires graces Central Park in New York. But here in Buenos Aires stands the original Monumento a San Martin. It commemorates General José de San Martín. He led Argentina Chile and Peru to independence.
The Monumento a San Martin stands proudly in Plaza San Martín. This is in the Retiro neighborhood. It was inaugurated in 1862. The monument was the first equestrian statue in Buenos Aires.
Louis Joseph Daumas was a French sculptor. He designed the Monumento a San Martin in the Napoleonic style. San Martín points to freedom with his right arm. The statue became a model for other monuments.
Monumento a San Martin is the city’s most important monument. Foreign dignitaries visit Buenos Aires. They must pay their respects here. They lay a wreath at the monument’s feet.
General José de San Martín is the father of Argentina. He freed Argentina Chile and Peru. They were freed from Spanish rule. His regiment Granaderos a Caballo had headquarters here.
In 1910 the monument was moved. This marked the centennial of Argentine independence. A marble basement was added. German sculptor Gustav Eberlein created allegoric groups. They enhanced the bronze statue.
Gustav Eberlein designed the red granite base. This was around 1910. He also designed the four corner sculptures. They represent key moments in San Martín’s campaign. These moments are “The Departure to War” “The Battle” “The Victory” and “The Return of the Victor.”
Mars the god of war appears at the platform’s front. Bas-reliefs depict different battles. They are on the other three sides. José de San Martín lived from 1778 to 1850. He was the greatest hero of the Argentine War of Independence. He is recognized as the liberator of Peru and Chile.
San Martín was an outstanding general. He was also a great strategist. In 1812 he created the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers. Their barracks were located in this square.
San Martín led crucial moments between 1813 and 1818. He defeated Spanish troops at the Battle of San Lorenzo. He reorganized the Army of the North. He became Governor of Cuyo. He created the Army of the Andes. He led them across the mountains into Chile. He freed Chile from Spanish rule. Then he moved north to liberate Peru in 1820.
The statue shows San Martín riding his horse. He achieved the liberation of South America on it. The condor symbolizes the triumph of independence. It has open wings.
A similar monument exists in Santiago de Chile. It was commissioned to the same sculptor. That’s why both monuments are very similar. A smaller replica stands in Central Park New York. The Monumento a San Martin embodies freedom. It embodies the spirit of a nation. It embodies the courage of a leader.