Lost and then found. That’s the story of the Monumento a Juan Manuel de Rosas here in Bariloche. Right before you stands a testament to resilience. A bronze bust of the Brigadier General Juan Manuel de Rosas. For decades he stood proudly overlooking the lake. His place was carefully chosen. It was in front of the San Carlos port at the start of the avenue bearing his name.
Then disaster struck. In December of 2021 an unexpected event unfolded. The Sin Nombre stream running beneath his pedestal caused a significant sinkhole. Rosas disappeared swallowed by the earth. The ground literally gave way. The monument vanished.
Panic ensued. Local officials immediately reacted. They removed the damaged sculpture. The plan was to restore it to its former glory. The plan was to return Rosas to his rightful place. But 20 months passed. There was silence.
Questions arose. Where was the bust? Would it ever be seen again? Hope flickered with news of its restoration. Daniel De Gaetano a skilled artist took on the challenging task. He has a history of success. He had restored the statue of Martín Miguel de Güemes just recently.
Now we are close to seeing the result. The pedestal awaits. It is in the same location as before. A wooden viewing platform replaces the old staircase. Within weeks Rosas will be back. His return promises to bring back the history he represents. The view too will be spectacular. It will be a renewed site for reflection and contemplation.