Why here
A church once stood on this spot. On 23 August 1812 the Argentine flag was raised for the first time in Buenos Aires from its tower, and an inscription on the Obelisco records it.
Urban Tales › Buenos Aires › Obelisco
The Obelisco: built in about a month
Put up in about a month in 1936 for the 400th anniversary of the city's first founding, the 67.5-metre Obelisco is where Buenos Aires goes to celebrate, from football wins to election nights.
Height67.5 m
Built1936, in about 31 days
ArchitectAlberto Prebisch
MarksWhere the flag was first raised in the city
Hear the Obelisco story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
1
2
Four faces, four dates
Each side carries an inscription: the first founding of the city in 1536, the second in 1580, the flag of 1812 and Buenos Aires becoming the federal capital in 1880.
3
A door and 206 steps
There's a single small door at the base. Behind it, a ladder of 206 steps once climbed to four windows at the top; now an elevator takes visitors most of the way to a viewpoint at 62 metres.
TipThe best view is from the middle of Avenida 9 de Julio at a pedestrian crossing, with Avenida Corrientes behind it. With Urban Tales running, its story plays as you walk up.
Nearby landmarks
Obelisco: common questions
How tall is the Obelisco?
67.5 metres.
Why was the Obelisco built?
To mark the 400th anniversary of the first founding of Buenos Aires, in 1536. It was built in about a month and inaugurated on 23 May 1936.
Can you go up the Obelisco?
Yes. Since 2025 a viewpoint at 62 metres is open to visitors: an elevator goes most of the way up and stairs do the rest. Tickets are paid and sold online.