Are you ready to explore one of Buenos Aires’ most iconic landmarks? The Monumental Tower, also known as Torre Monumental, is a must-visit for digital nomads, travelers, and expats seeking a blend of history, architecture, and stunning views.
Located in the vibrant Retiro neighborhood, this towering structure offers a unique glimpse into Buenos Aires’ past and present.
Join ExpatPathways as we guide you through everything you need to know before your visit to the Monumental Tower, from its rich history and architectural marvels to practical tips on getting there and what to expect during your visit.
Torre Monumental (Buenos Aires): Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is the Torre Monumental of Buenos Aires?
The Torre Monumental, known for many years as the Torre de los Ingleses, was constructed in 1916 on the site of the former Gas Works of Retiro, which supplied fuel for public lighting, in the Retiro neighborhood.
Throughout the 20th century, the monument became a faithful witness to urban development and the various waves of immigration that made Retiro one of the main gateways to Buenos Aires through the Retiro railway station and the city’s port. The Immigrant Hotel, now a museum, is a nearby recommended visit that also bears witness to this era.
The Torre Monumental was closed until it reopened in 2001, when it began operating as a Museum Information Center, guiding the public on the offerings of Buenos Aires’ various museums with personalized and professional service, distributing brochures, and running a souvenir shop.
Tower Viewpoint
The tower, which stands 60 meters tall, includes a viewpoint from which visitors can observe the Retiro neighborhood and the Port of Buenos Aires. The viewpoint houses the carillon and five bronze bells, the largest of which weighs seven tons.
On its façade, you can recognize the coats of arms of the United Kingdom and Argentina, and it is decorated with thistle flowers, roses, dragons, and shamrocks—emblems of Scotland, the Tudor House, Wales, and Ireland, respectively.
The clock is from the prestigious Gillett & Johnston watchmaking firm in Croydon, England, and its melody is the Westminster Quarters, the same as Big Ben.
History
The inauguration took place on May 24, 1916. The delay was due to World War I and the gas company vacating the site only in 1912. The ceremony was attended by President Victorino de la Plaza and British plenipotentiary minister Reginald Tower.
The tower is built in the Palladian style, following the trend in late 16th-century Britain. It is situated on a platform with four access staircases. Above the main entrance facing west, and on the other sides of the building, there is a frieze alternating triglyphs and metopes decorated with suns and various British Empire emblems.
Among others, you can recognize the thistle flower representing Scotland, the Tudor rose symbolizing England, the red dragon of Wales, and the shamrock of Ireland.
The tower stands 59 meters tall and has eight floors. It was built using 55,000 red bricks and carved stone. At 45 meters, there is the clock manufactured by Gillett & Johnston of Croydon, England. The clock’s mechanism operates with a pendulum and weights.
Above the clock faces are five bronze bells, the largest of which weighs about seven tons, while the carillon that chimes the quarter hours imitates the Westminster Abbey’s Big Ben chimes and weighs about three tons.
The clock was set in motion in 1910 by Argentine watchmakers Rodolfo Kopp and Nicanor Insúa, with four clock faces each 4.4 meters in diameter, originally made of English opaline but now replaced due to damage during the Falklands War.
The tower is crowned by an octagonal copper dome with steel trusses, atop which rotates a weather vane representing a three-masted Elizabethan frigate.
Above the entrance, there are the coats of arms of Argentina and the United Kingdom and an inscription reading “To the great Argentine people, the British residents, greeting. May 25, 1810-1910.”
During the Falklands War in 1982, a group of demonstrators attacked the tower, destroying the base’s lighting columns, balustrades, staircases, granite ornamental fountains, and causing fires.
Designed by architect Ambrose Macdonald Poynter, the 60-meter-high tower is clad in a combination of red bricks and carved stone. The structure stands on a base with four staircases on each side and spouts at the corners.
Clock
On the 7th floor is the clock, which gave the monument its original name, Torre del Reloj. It has four opaline clock faces, each 4.40 meters in diameter, with a pendulum exceeding 4 meters in height and weighing 100 kg.
The clock was made by the prestigious Gillett & Johnston watchmaking firm of Croydon, England, in 1914, a smaller replica of the Big Ben clock.
Where is the Torre Monumental of Buenos Aires located?
The Torre Monumental (commonly known as Torre de los Ingleses) is a monument located in the Retiro neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It stands in the Fuerza Aérea Argentina square (formerly British Plaza) next to San Martín street and Libertador Avenue.
It was built by British residents in the city to commemorate the centenary of the May Revolution.
After the Falklands War in 1982, the Torre de los Ingleses was renamed “Torre Monumental,” although some citizens still refer to it by its former name.
Inaugurated on May 24, 1916, it stands in the Fuerza Aérea Argentina square, in the Retiro neighborhood.
How to Get to the Torre Monumental?
To reach the Torre Monumental, you can use:
- Buses: Lines 17, 67, 92, 93, 110, 124, and 130 are some of the buses that pass near the Torre. If you are anywhere in Buenos Aires, this might be your best option.
- Subways: The C and E subway lines run north-south in Buenos Aires. Both, especially the C line, can drop you very close to the Torre. The C line even has one of its terminals at the Retiro station, which is right in front of the Torre Monumental.
- Trains: The Mitre and San Martín railways have stations right in front of the Torre Monumental.
You can also bike to the Torre Monumental, though it’s recommended to be cautious and take care of your bike as the area can be a bit unsafe. Cycling in this part of Buenos Aires is very quick, especially on weekends.
The Torre Monumental is closed on Tuesdays and the following days: Good Friday, Labor Day (May 1), Christmas (December 25), and New Year’s Day (January 1).
You can visit the Torre from Wednesday to Monday from 11 AM to 6 PM (closed on Tuesdays). Remember that the last entry is at 5:40 PM. The admission fee is $1000 for locals and $2000 for foreigners.
Why Is It Important to Visit the Torre Monumental?
- Initially considered a commemorative monument for the May Centennial in the form of a column, it eventually took the shape of a tower.
- The construction was carried out by the Hopkins and Gardom company. Almost all materials for the building—cement, Portland stones, Leicester bricks, the carillon, the bells, and the clock—were brought from England, along with the technical staff in charge of construction.
- A modern glass elevator using the original English machinery takes you to the sixth floor, where there is a small exhibition of elements from the old elevator. From the viewpoint on this floor, you can see the Retiro area, the railway terminal, and the Port of Buenos Aires. You can also see the clock’s pendulum located on the seventh floor.
- Known for many years as the Torre de los Ingleses, the Torre Monumental became a faithful witness to the urban development of the 20th century and was, for many years, the gateway to Buenos Aires due to its proximity to the Retiro railway terminal, the city’s port, and the Immigrant Hotel, now a museum.
- Above the main entrance and the other sides of the tower is a frieze alternating triglyphs and metopes adorned with suns and various emblems of the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
- You can also see the coats of arms of the United Kingdom and Argentina. Additionally, the emblems of England and Scotland stand out. A unicorn and a rampant lion frame two phrases written in French: “Dieu et mon droit” (“God and my right”) and “Honni soit qui mal y pense” (“Shame on him who thinks ill of it”), the motto of the Order of the Garter in England.
Clock and Bell Tower
On the 7th level of the tower are the clock’s gears and mechanisms, as well as those of the elevator. The clock has a mechanical system with electric assistance. Every 15 minutes, the carillon, a set of 4 bells, chimes.
At a quarter past the hour, 4 chimes sound; at half past, 4 more chimes are added, and so on every 15 minutes until a full melody plays on the hour, at which point the largest bell, weighing 7 tons and located on the top level, rings to indicate the hour. Above it is the green-colored dome with a copper metal covering. At the pinnacle is a needle with the rose of the winds crowned by an Elizabethan three-masted galleon.
Visiting the Torre Monumental is an opportunity to see one of Buenos Aires’ emblematic buildings. Although the relationship between Argentina and the United Kingdom was strained by the Falklands War (hence the old name “Torre de los Ingleses” was replaced by its current name), the tower remains a symbol of the respect that the United Kingdom holds for Argentina despite their differences.
Just approaching the Torre Monumental is fascinating. Its location in the center of Fuerza Aérea Argentina Plaza allows it to stand out without competing with any other construction. When you visit, it will be just you and the tower, and nothing else.
But undoubtedly, the best part of the tower is its interior. If you have the chance to visit when access to its viewpoint is available, you will enjoy its elevator and be rewarded with a fantastic view of Buenos Aires.
Moreover, you will see the bell tower and the clock, the main attractions of the Torre. When inside, remember that the entire construction is made from materials brought from the United Kingdom over 100 years ago.
Additionally, near the Torre Monumental, you can explore Puerto Madero, the Immigrant Museum Hotel, the Retiro train station, and a wide array of office towers that will leave you amazed.
Last Considerations
Visiting the Monumental Tower in Buenos Aires is an experience not to be missed. This iconic structure, rich in history and architectural beauty, provides a unique perspective on the city’s past and present.
Whether you’re a digital nomad, traveler, or expat, you’ll find the nominal fee well worth the panoramic views from the tower’s viewpoint.
Open from Wednesday to Monday between 11 AM and 6 PM (closed on Tuesdays), with the last entry at 5:40 PM, admission is just $1000 for locals and $2000 for foreigners.
Be sure to check holiday schedules, as the tower is often closed to the public on these days. For more travel tips and detailed guides, visit ExpatPathways and enhance your Buenos Aires adventure.
(Featured Image Source: Harvey Barrison/flickr.com)
