Don Quijote Monument, Buenos Aires

Located at the busy intersection of Avenidas de Mayo and 9 de Julio, this bronze sculpture of anti-hero Don Quijote – received in 1980 as a gift from the Spanish Government on the occasion of the Buenos Aires’ 400th anniversary – is a little unique in that the bodies of the subjects are partially encased in the stonework, and appear to emerge from the same. This forms a black-and-white contrast between the subject and the stone, best viewed from the front.

Sculpted by Aurelio Teno, a renowned Spanish artist celebrated for his multiple renditions of Don Quixote, the sculpture stands at a towering height of 15 meters and boasts a remarkable weight of 200 tonnes. Erected in Uruguay, in collaboration with a team of seven skilled engineers and over 100 laborers, its construction spanned over half a year to reach its completion.

If you’re nearby and looking for photo ops, you could take you photos by this monument, and nearby photo ops such as the iconic concrete obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio, some of the historic buildings on Avenida de Mayo, and the many comic-type statues on Avenida Corrientes.