Cabildo Histórico and the Hall of the May Revolution

Why is it significant?

Before you rises the white stucco facade, terracotta roof tiles, and red-roofed central clock tower of the Cabildo Histórico de Buenos Aires, the birthplace of Argentine political sovereignty.

Key Facts

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Before you rises the white stucco facade, terracotta roof tiles, and red-roofed central clock tower of the Cabildo Histórico de Buenos Aires, the birthplace of Argentine political sovereignty. Originating in 1608 as the seat of colonial civil municipal administration under the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, this handsome building was redesigned in the Jesuit Baroque style by Italian Jesuit architects Andrés Blanqui and Juan Bautista Prímoli beginning in 1725. Its rhythmic ground-floor and upper-floor galleries of rounded arches once stretched much farther across the block.

If you examine old nineteenth-century engravings, you will notice that the original Cabildo had eleven wide arches on each level instead of the five you see today.

In 1889, three arches on the north side were demolished to carve open Avenida de Mayo, and in 1931, three arches on the south side were removed to pave Diagonal Sur. The building was lovingly restored to its present balanced colonial proportions in 1940 by architect Mario Buschiazzo using authentic colonial techniques. It was within the second-floor Capitular Hall on May 25, 1810, that an impassioned assembly of Creole merchants, lawyers, and military officers deposed Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros. In doing so, they formed the Primera Junta, creating the first autonomous native government in southern South America. Inside the courtyard, an authentic colonial water cistern carved from stone sits beneath leafy orange trees, while museum galleries exhibit personal belongings of founding patriots, silver carriage fittings, and the official seal of the Spanish Crown.

Touching the thick whitewashed adobe walls connects you directly to the spirited debates that ignited South America's drive for independence. Looking across the manicured courtyard at the old iron lanterns and colonial brick archways, one can almost hear the excited shouts of patriot citizens gathered beneath the rainy skies of that fateful May morning.

Walk south along Calle Bolívar for two blocks to enter the historic Jesuit enclave known as Manzana de las Luces.