“Casa de Justicia.” Ever wonder about those words etched into history? That is the Munumento al Cabildo abierto.
The Munumento al Cabildo abierto stands before us. It whispers tales of revolution and transformation. This building is more than brick and stone. It is a symbol of Argentina’s fight for independence.
Let’s journey back to 1580. Juan de Garay founded Buenos Aires. He assigned this very spot for the city council. In those early days, meetings occurred in residents’ homes. Prisoners were even held in the cabildantes’ houses.
The first proper structure emerged in 1608. It was modest. Adobe walls and a thatched roof comprised it. It housed a meeting room and a prison. By 1725, a sturdier building was needed. The old structure was in disrepair.
Architects Giovanni Battista Primoli and Andrés Blanqui designed the new Cabildo. Construction began in July 1725. Blanqui’s Lombard Baroque style gave the building its unique facade. The building features paired Tuscan pilasters and the Albertian arch.
The construction faced delays. The architects left for Córdoba to work on its cathedral. Work resumed in 1731. Miguel Acosta and Julián Preciado led the construction. By 1740, the Cabildo was ready for use.
In 1765, the tower was completed. A clock from Cádiz was installed in 1763. Its chimes echoed through the city. In 1779, disaster struck. Lightning hit the tower. It damaged the clock and partially erased “Casa de Justicia.”
The May Revolution of 1810 centered here. In 1821, the Cabildo was dissolved. Afterward, the building housed civil courts. Over the years, the Cabildo faced many modifications.
In 1889, part of the building was demolished for Avenida de Mayo. The tower was removed. In 1931, more arches were destroyed for Diagonal Julio A. Roca. Public outcry saved the Cabildo from total demolition.
In 1933, it became a National Historical Monument. Architect Mario Buschiazzo restored the building. He aimed to revive its original colonial design. The restored Cabildo opened in 1940.
Today, the Munumento al Cabildo abierto houses the National Museum of the Cabildo and the May Revolution. Inside, you will find artifacts from the 18th century. Paintings, portraits, and jewels are on display. An old printing press is also there.
In the courtyard, admire the Baroque-style well. It came from Manuel Belgrano’s birthplace. The Munumento al Cabildo abierto stands as a testament to Argentina’s past. It is a reminder of the struggles and triumphs that shaped the nation. Take a moment. Reflect on the history. Feel the spirit of revolution that echoes within these walls.