“Tupac Amaru lives on” echoes through the heart of Flores. Plaza Túpac Amaru stands as a testament to rebellion and remembrance. Once known as Plaza de los Virreyes this small space has a powerful story to tell. It sits at the intersection of Lafuente and Eva Perón avenues beneath the Autopista 25 de Mayo. Before we dive deeper let’s acknowledge the man behind the name.
José Gabriel Condorcanqui adopted the name Túpac Amaru II. He led an uprising against Spanish power in 1780. His rebellion began in present-day Peru. It spread into the Argentine provinces of Salta and Jujuy. Túpac Amaru’s actions shook the foundations of colonial rule. Though ultimately captured and brutally executed his spirit of resistance endured.
Originally this area was a simple square marking the crossing of Lafuente and Eva Perón avenues. Later in the 1940s the ambitious “Operación Ezeiza” project emerged. This included a new international airport modern housing and a rapid transit system. The plan aimed to connect Ezeiza to the heart of Buenos Aires. The rapid transit was planned in three sections. The first section was a suburban expressway to General Paz Avenue. The second was a parkway to Lafuente and Eva Perón avenues. The final section was an elevated viaduct to La Plata Avenue.
In the 1930s radial access routes to major cities were envisioned. Buenos Aires was to have these routes converge at General Paz Avenue. The new international airport demanded a faster route to the city center. So the highway was extended into the capital. It became the Dellepiane Highway requiring the expropriation of land. In 1948 engineer Lauro O. Laura proposed three viaducts to reach the city center. The southern viaduct would continue the airport access route. It was to be built on stilts between Humberto Primo and Carlos Calvo streets. Housing blocks would flank the viaduct with plazas at intersections.
The City of Buenos Aires supported Operación Ezeiza with infrastructure projects. These included the Autódromo municipal and housing complexes. The elevated highway project was approved just before the 1955 coup. Construction was delayed until 1978. The AU1 25 de Mayo highway solidified the plaza’s location under the viaduct. Initially named Plaza Armenia it was renamed Plaza de los Virreyes in 1979.
In 1986 the Plaza de los Virreyes subway station opened. Later that year the Premetro terminal Intendente Saguier was built occupying much of the plaza. In 2011 the plaza’s name was officially changed to Túpac Amaru. This was thanks to a campaign led by a local school director and students. The subway station however still retains its old name.
Recent renovations have revitalized Plaza Túpac Amaru. New lighting has enhanced security. Green spaces have expanded. A parking area beneath the highway has been improved. A multi-use court for basketball and soccer has been added. This provides recreational opportunities for locals. Murals adorn the space. They reflecting the plaza’s history and its connection to indigenous struggles.
The story of Plaza Túpac Amaru is one of transformation. It embodies the spirit of resistance urban development and community activism. As you stand here consider the layers of history beneath your feet. Remember the legacy of Túpac Amaru. Think about the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition.