Plaza Baquedano
Plaza Baquedano, commonly known as Plaza Italia, is a major landmark in
Santiago, Chile
.
The plaza was inaugurated in 1928, being crowned by a monument made by Chilean sculptor
Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins Avenue (best known as Alameda) and Vicuña Mackenna Avenue. A tunnel entrance to the Costanera Norte Highway is close to Plaza Baquedano. Parque Forestal, Balmaceda Park and Bustamante Park
converge here.
History
It was established in 1875 as Plaza La Serena and adopted its current name in 1928 to honor
traffic circle
but its geometric design and functionality have changed since then.
Baquedano metro station is named after Plaza Baquedano.
In the context of the
2019–2021 protests, the protesters dubbed the square as Plaza de la Dignidad (Dignity Square).[2]
On March 12, 2021, the four-ton statue of General Baquedano was removed to be restored by the National Council of Monuments, after continuous acts of vandalism by protesters. Attempts to burn and tear down the statue were made on March 5 and 8 respectively, ultimately prompting the authorities to make the decision.[3]
References
- ^ "A la inauguración del monumento al General Baquedano asistieron S. E. y Ministros de Estado" (PDF). La Nación (in Spanish). 19 September 1928.
- ^ "Chile and a global revolution for dignity". OpenGlobalRights. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ Tercera, La (2021-03-12). "Estatua del general Baquedano es trasladada luego de dos horas y media de trabajos". La Tercera. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
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