Could a bustling transportation hub also hold the echoes of a tranquil past? Here at Plaza de la Constitución, that paradox unfolds. This plaza, locally known as Plaza Constitución, isn’t just a major transit point. It’s a living testament to Buenos Aires’s dynamic history. The plaza stands before the Constitución railway terminal, a crucial link in the city’s public transport network. A subway station also lies beneath the square, adding another layer to its connectivity.
Plaza de la Constitución sits in the heart of the Constitución neighborhood. The Avenida Brasil borders it, alongside calles Lima Oeste, Lima Este, and Constitución. This location makes it a central point in the city. This bustling square was once a peaceful “pajonal,” a suburban grassland on the outskirts of a much smaller Buenos Aires. Imagine the scene in the 1850s: carretas laden with goods rumbling towards the city center. To control this trade, the municipality established a market here. This was the Mercado del Sud del Alto, named for its proximity to the Alto de San Pedro in present-day San Telmo.
In 1854, as Buenos Aires swore allegiance to its new constitution, the market was renamed Mercado Constitución. This name appeared in the Municipal Memoirs as early as 1857. The arrival of the Ferrocarril del Sud in 1865 further transformed the area. A small station with limited platforms marked the beginning of the railway’s presence. A tramway crossed the plaza, connecting the station with the city center along present-day Calle Lima.
The market continued to operate until 1885. Then, Mayor Torcuato de Alvear ordered its closure to beautify the area and create a plaza. Simultaneously, the Ferrocarril del Sud embarked on constructing a grand new station. It was inspired by a French palace. Municipal architect Juan Antonio Buschiazzo designed a picturesque park with trees, gardens, an artificial lake, and even a whimsical faux castle ruin. This peculiar feature, though mocked by some, added a touch of fantasy to the plaza. It was eventually demolished in 1914 during an aborted subway construction project.
By 1907, the increasing popularity of the railway necessitated further expansion of Constitución station. In 1909, the luxurious Teatro Variedades, designed by architect Carlos Nordmann, graced the corner of Garay and Lima. Sadly, it was demolished in 1961. Construction of the neo-Gothic Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón de María began in 1914. Its twin spires with crosses still dominate the skyline near Plaza de la Constitución.
The 1930s saw the construction of the current Line C subway. It connected Constitución station with Retiro station in just three years. Numerous tramway companies linked the plaza and the train station to various parts of the city. The Ferrocarril del Sud also began a new station building. This project, however, was halted by the 1930s economic crisis, leaving the old station’s facade in place. The extension of 9 de Julio Avenue to Avenida Caseros in 1975 drastically altered the area. Demolitions reshaped the eastern edge of Plaza de la Constitución, and the subsequent construction of Autopista 25 de Mayo and Autopista Frondizi further impacted the neighborhood.
Revitalization efforts in the 21st century have breathed new life into Plaza de la Constitución. Improved green spaces, upgraded lighting, and a new subway access point enhance the area. A dedicated underpass for buses now streamlines connections from the 9 de Julio Avenue metrobus. Today, Plaza de la Constitución remains a vibrant hub. It connects Buenos Aires with the southern reaches of Greater Buenos Aires. The plaza’s story continues to unfold. It blends its historic past with the demands of a modern metropolis.