Torre Monumental
Torre Monumental
4
About
Built by British residents in 1916 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Revolution of May, the Torre Monumental is a memorable sight to most visitors who walk through Buenos Aires.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Retiro
Exquisite palaces and luxurious apartment buildings combine with art galleries and exclusive boutiques to make Retiro the perfect spot for those who enjoy sophistication. However, the non-stop foot traffic to and from Retiro train and bus terminals, accompanied by the myriad of trucks leaving and arriving at the port, mean this neighbourhood is never truly at rest. One minute you are walking down a street dotted with ornate mansions and luxurious shop windows and the next you find yourself surrounded by a sea of people racing to catch their train or bus. It is this juxtaposition of never-ending comings and goings and quiet, elegant luxury that defines Retiro, as well as Buenos Aires, a city where sharp contrasts are all around.
How to get there
- Retiro • 2 min walk
- General San Martín • 7 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
296 reviews
Excellent
64
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167
Average
58
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7
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Wesley C
Tucson, AZ10,283 contributions
Oct 2019
Tower (originally called the English Tower) was a gift of Buenos Aires's English expatriate community in 1916 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Argentina's May Revolution. Located in the center of Plaza San Martin. After the Falklands/Malvinas War in 1982, the Tower was renamed the Torre Munumental. Only viewed it from the outside -- didn't know about the 6th floor observation deck.
Written 5 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben F
Bloomington, IN1,821 contributions
Mar 2022
The Torre Monumental, among a myriad other gems in BA, is worthy of selfies and photo ops and all the buzz it deserves. Located adjacent to Plaza San Martin near the train station Retiro, this structure sits accessible to many modes of transport and other urban offerings. It’s in a safe, clean, vibrant area. While it doesn’t take much of your time (pun intended), I strongly encourage Buenos Aires visitors to view the Torre Monumental at least once.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PatsyBuenosAires
Buenos Aires, Argentina36,550 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
The Torre Monumental or former Torre de los Ingleses stands in Plaza Fuerza Aérea, located in the porteño neighborhood of Retiro, and in my steps through the area I could always see only its exterior, until a few days ago I had the opportunity to visit it inside. We arrived during opening hours and at that time the place was very quiet. At the entrance is the reception office and a mini show with the history of this space. In that area we take the elevator and climb to the 6th floor arriving at a mezzanine with access to the balcony viewpoint. We turned 360 degrees along its edges that point out the four cardinal points, from where we got incredible panoramic views of different places in the city: Retiro Railway Station, the Port, the Rio de la Plata, Paseo del Bajo, Plaza San Martín, the Monument to the Fallen in Malvinas, the Sheraton Hotel, the Kavanagh Building, avenues, etc. The balcony has benches around it to sit on and its railings are protected with glass where the names of each attraction that from that brand is displayed. The ticket price for nationals is quite modest and on Wednesdays the visit is free for the general public. I went any day of the week with a friend, student her and pensioner me, so we entered at no cost, obviously presenting our credentials that corroborate said condition. I loved the experience of ascending the tower and contemplating the city from the heights.
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Written 14 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reservarlden
London, UK1,643 contributions
Feb 2023
Magnificent views from within and friendly helpful staff. This building was previously named The English Tower. I visited the tower during a visit to BA some years ago however on that occasion I did not take the opportunity to view from teh sixth floor. This time I rectified that and what a refreshing walk around you get. As of February 2023 the cost is 500ARS (250 for Argentines) and is well worth ten minutes of your time.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Bellflower, CA24,423 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
The British built the Red Brick Clock tower.
The clock tower (Torre Monumental), formerly known as Torre de los Ingleses in Plaza Britannica, in the Retiro barrio, was built by the Buenos Aires British community in 1916 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Revolution of May.
The bricks and stone used to construct this 60-metre tower were imported from England. The exterior walls feature the shields of the United Kingdom and Argentina and are decorated with thistle, roses, dragons, and clover leaves, representing Scotland, the Tudor rose, Wales, and Ireland.
There is an observation deck, which offers a view of the Retiro neighbourhood and Buenos Aires Port. Gillett & Johnston of Croydon, England, made the clock. It plays the Westminster Quarters melody, the same as Big Ben's, on its five bronze bells, the largest of which weighs seven tons.
Re-opened in 2001, the tower now serves as the information centre for the city's museums and has displays about its history. It is open Monday through Friday, from 12 noon until 6 pm.
TIP: Entry is free on Wednesday.
Please Tick the box below if you find this review helpful or interesting. Thank you.
The clock tower (Torre Monumental), formerly known as Torre de los Ingleses in Plaza Britannica, in the Retiro barrio, was built by the Buenos Aires British community in 1916 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Revolution of May.
The bricks and stone used to construct this 60-metre tower were imported from England. The exterior walls feature the shields of the United Kingdom and Argentina and are decorated with thistle, roses, dragons, and clover leaves, representing Scotland, the Tudor rose, Wales, and Ireland.
There is an observation deck, which offers a view of the Retiro neighbourhood and Buenos Aires Port. Gillett & Johnston of Croydon, England, made the clock. It plays the Westminster Quarters melody, the same as Big Ben's, on its five bronze bells, the largest of which weighs seven tons.
Re-opened in 2001, the tower now serves as the information centre for the city's museums and has displays about its history. It is open Monday through Friday, from 12 noon until 6 pm.
TIP: Entry is free on Wednesday.
Please Tick the box below if you find this review helpful or interesting. Thank you.
Written 28 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K T
Toronto, Canada1,247 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Visited Torre Monumental, aka a little Ben, a gift from the UK. 50 peso to go up to the 6th floor for the view of Retiro, port, and beyond. A good way to see the surrounding area.
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FTichy
Celebration, FL2,354 contributions
Jan 2020
Built by the British, it's known as Little Big Ben.
You can visit this squase and Plaza San Martin together, it'll make for a nice walk of a couple "must see sites" in Buenos Aires.
The history of the clock is more interesting than the clock itself, but it's a nice visit.
You can visit this squase and Plaza San Martin together, it'll make for a nice walk of a couple "must see sites" in Buenos Aires.
The history of the clock is more interesting than the clock itself, but it's a nice visit.
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chaitanya
Cambridge, Canada1,457 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Clock tower was build by the British. Tower is nice landmark and the park is a good place for taking photos. Good spot to take photos of clock tower is from the terrace above the malvinas memorial area.
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,581 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
Good views of the city and surrounding area. From the upper viewing deck, one can view the surrounding area from all four sides of the Torre Monument. Great place from which to take selfies.
Written 26 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vincent M
New Orleans, LA2,256 contributions
Feb 2020
Back in Edwardian days, when British shipping still carried more cargo than any other nation’s, a brisk commerce connected the UK and Argentina, and a wealthy British commercial community was based in Buenos Aires. To honour the centennial of Argentine independence, the Brits decided to build a monumental clock-tower: the Torre de los Ingleses in the centre of Plaza Británica. For various reasons, including the death of Edward VII, the coronation of George V, the outbreak of the Great War, and problems with the help, the tower wasn’t actually inaugurated until 1916, and no one from the royal family braved the U-boats to grace the ceremony with their presence.
Since the Falklands War, this is now the Torre Monumental in Plaza Fuerza Aérea Argentina. The name change may have been expedited by a dynamite attack on the tower, but it was similar to name changes back in Blighty in 1916: the Saxe-Coburg & Gothas morphing into Windsors, and the Battenbergs rebranding themselves Mountbattens. The plaza’s renaming honours the Argentine air force which fought very well during the Malvinas campaign. Placing of the Monument to the Fallen of the Malvinas right across the street from the tower, is probably not sheer coincidence either.
Still, the tower’s quite British: the white limestone and red bricks had been shipped from England on British bottoms; the tower bells are based on the bells of Westminster abbey, and the rising sun and handshake of the Argentine coat of arms alternates with the lion and unicorn of the British royal coat of arms, above the four doors. Decorative elements include the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh dragon and Irish shamrock. Had the tower been delayed another six years, until 1922, they could have skipped the shamrock.
The tower’s century-old lift has been modernized, and from the sixth floor balcony, you get a panoramic view of Plaza General San Martin and of the Rio de la Plata downstream. The northern views up the river and towards Recoleta, are less photogenic, because of the industrialized port and rail yards. Nevertheless, on a bright sunny day, with a refreshing wind coming up the river, this tower’s well worth seeing and going up, whether you’re Argentine, British, or neither. (See Torre 1 and Torre 2 photos).
Since the Falklands War, this is now the Torre Monumental in Plaza Fuerza Aérea Argentina. The name change may have been expedited by a dynamite attack on the tower, but it was similar to name changes back in Blighty in 1916: the Saxe-Coburg & Gothas morphing into Windsors, and the Battenbergs rebranding themselves Mountbattens. The plaza’s renaming honours the Argentine air force which fought very well during the Malvinas campaign. Placing of the Monument to the Fallen of the Malvinas right across the street from the tower, is probably not sheer coincidence either.
Still, the tower’s quite British: the white limestone and red bricks had been shipped from England on British bottoms; the tower bells are based on the bells of Westminster abbey, and the rising sun and handshake of the Argentine coat of arms alternates with the lion and unicorn of the British royal coat of arms, above the four doors. Decorative elements include the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh dragon and Irish shamrock. Had the tower been delayed another six years, until 1922, they could have skipped the shamrock.
The tower’s century-old lift has been modernized, and from the sixth floor balcony, you get a panoramic view of Plaza General San Martin and of the Rio de la Plata downstream. The northern views up the river and towards Recoleta, are less photogenic, because of the industrialized port and rail yards. Nevertheless, on a bright sunny day, with a refreshing wind coming up the river, this tower’s well worth seeing and going up, whether you’re Argentine, British, or neither. (See Torre 1 and Torre 2 photos).
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola. Hay algun horario en que se pueda subir? Pregunto porque la ultima vez que subi fue a principios del año 2008 o algo asi por un museo de fotografia que habia. Pero despues de eso la vi siempre cerrada.
Written 8 June 2017
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