Ever heard of a city that was founded not once but twice? That’s Buenos Aires for you. It is a city brimming with history and vibrant culture.
Buenos Aires stands on the banks of the River Plate. Before the Spanish arrived, hunter-gatherer villages dotted these lands. The Querandí people, known as “men of fat” by their neighbors, were the primary inhabitants.
Our story begins in 1516. Juan Díaz de Solís, a Spanish explorer, landed here and named this vast delta the “Solis River” and “Sweet Sea”. Sadly, his adventure ended abruptly. He and his crew were killed by the Guaraní Indigenous group.
Fast forward to February 3, 1536. Pedro de Mendoza, sent by the King of Spain, ordered the construction of a fort. He named it “Santa María de los Buenos Aires”. This was an attempt to halt the Portuguese advance.
The fort endured five turbulent years. Lack of resources and the hostility of the Querandí forced the Spanish to abandon Buenos Aires. They retreated to Asunción. The area remained deserted for decades.
But the Spanish crown recognized the strategic importance of this location. They needed access to the riches of Peru. So, Juan de Garay received the mission to found a city and colonize these southern lands.
On June 11, 1580, Garay established the city’s second incarnation. It was known as “de la Santísima Trinidad”. Sadly, he met a similar fate. Three years later, the Querandí community killed him. Thus, Buenos Aires earned its unique distinction. It was a city founded twice.
The Viceroy of Peru imposed a trade ban on Buenos Aires. This led many residents to engage in smuggling. During this period, Spain and Portugal were united. Many Portuguese people arrived. They were mainly involved in smuggling silver from Potosí.
In 1592, the Adelantado period ended. The city fell under the control of the governor of Asunción. To end smuggling, all Portuguese people were expelled in 1603. Portugal gained independence from Spain in 1640. They founded Colonia de Sacramento. It sat on the left bank of the Río de la Plata. For over a century, it became the main hub for smuggling. Much of this was conducted by the English.
The governor of Buenos Aires organized an army to stop the colony’s activities. Although he defeated the Portuguese, smuggling continued.
By 1776, King Carlos III created the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires became its capital. The city no longer depended on the Viceroyalty of Peru. Buenos Aires faced numerous invasions. English corsairs, French troops, and even Danish pirates attacked. But the city successfully defended itself.
In 1806, the English briefly captured Buenos Aires. However, an army from Montevideo expelled them. This was known as the “Battle of the Reconquest”. The English tried again a year later. They were defeated in the “Battle of the Defence”.
Growing trade and the defense of the city boosted the people’s pride. It fueled their desire for independence. This movement culminated in self-rule.
Taking advantage of Napoleon’s invasion of Spain, the Council of Buenos Aires declared independence on May 25, 1810. Other provinces followed suit on July 9, 1816. They formed the “United Provinces of the River Plate”.
Today, Buenos Aires stands as a testament to resilience and reinvention. Its streets echo with the stories of explorers, settlers, and revolutionaries. Each building reflects the spirit of a city that was built, abandoned, and reborn.