“Did you know that Plaza de la Defensa’s name is a tribute to a pivotal moment in Buenos Aires history?”
The Plaza de la Defensa isn’t just a pretty square. It stands at the heart of a street with a powerful story. Calle Defensa Defensa Street played a crucial role during the British invasions of 1806 and 1807. Neighbors famously defended their city from invaders. They threw boiling water from rooftops. This brave act gave the street its name. It was officially changed in 1845 by Juan Manuel de Rosas.
This wasn’t just any dusty road. In the city’s early days it was a pathway leading from the Plaza Mayor now Plaza de Mayo to the port. The area beyond the square was rough. It was considered outside the city walls. It was crisscrossed by streams like the Tercero del Sur. This stream was a fearsome force. After rains it could produce avalanches. It dragged obstacles into the river.
The street itself changed over time. It had various names along its 1500-meter route. Sections were called San Francisco de la Higuera and del zanjón. The names reflected landmarks like a church a fig tree or a ditch. The Alto de San Pedro a high point near the Parish of San Pedro Telmo became Plaza Dorrego. This plaza gave respite to carts traveling between the Plaza Mayor and the port.
By 1800 Calle Defensa was bustling. The English invasions intensified the activity. After the invasions industries started to grow along Calle Defensa. Brick and cannon factories were followed by flour mills and confectioneries. Don Carlos Noel opened the El Sol candy factory in 1837.
The yellow fever epidemic of 1871 changed things dramatically. Wealthy Creole families fled. Their large homes became tenements for immigrants. This transformed the area’s character.
Today Plaza de la Defensa stands as a testament to those tumultuous times. It’s a reminder of the courage and resilience of the people who shaped Buenos Aires. The Plaza de la Defensa is a living piece of history. It connects the city’s past to its vibrant present. Enjoy this special place.