Columna Persa

Deep within Palermo, a towering testament to history stands tall. The Columna Persa, a striking replica of a column from the Palace of Cyrus II the Great in Persepolis, rises proudly against the Buenos Aires skyline. This nineteen-meter monument, crowned with the iconic double-bull capital, transports us back to the 6th century BC, the era of the mighty Persian Empire. The Columna Persa arrived in Argentina as a symbol of friendship, a gift from the Shah of Persia, Mohamed Reza Pahlevi, during his 1965 visit. It was a time of celebration, marking the anniversary of Argentina’s May Revolution. The Shah and his wife, Empress Farah Diba, were treated to lavish hospitality, from pearl-laden oysters to centuries-old linen sheets. But the Columna Persa’s journey wasn’t straightforward. The column, shipped in six containers, remained unassembled for years. Finally, in 1978, the city of Buenos Aires began its construction. Molds were created, each segment filled with a mixture of cement and crushed stone – stone brought all the way from the ruins of Persepolis itself. This added a touch of authenticity, connecting the replica to its ancient origins. The column was finally erected in 1979, ironically just months before the Shah’s overthrow during the Iranian Revolution. While the Shah’s reign ended, the Columna Persa endures. It stands as a poignant reminder of a vanished empire and the enduring power of cultural exchange. Nearby, a ceramic Persian lion by Italo-Argentinian artist Blas Salvador Gurrieri guards the column. Together, they create a unique scene in the heart of Palermo, inviting us to reflect on the intertwined threads of history.