At the foot of Cerro San Bernardo, this 25-metre monument honours Martín Miguel de Güemes, a leader in Argentina’s independence struggle and governor of Salta. It stands near the spot where he was wounded after falling from his horse. The stone structure was built with rocks taken from the hill, and the surrounding plaza gives you a place to pause and look out over Salta. Come around sunset for the city view, or see the monument lit after dark. Paseo Güemes is nearby.
A monument to Martín Miguel de Güemes
The monument honours Martín Miguel de Güemes, a Salta leader in Argentina’s fight for independence and governor of the province. It marks the place where he fell from his horse after being wounded by a bullet. He died a few days later in the Cañada de la Horqueta ravine.
The site links the monument to the landscape around it: it stands at the foot of Cerro San Bernardo, at the end of Paseo Güemes. The hill also supplied the stone used in the construction, with rocks weighing more than 75 kilograms taken from Cerro San Bernardo.
Building the monument
Work began in 1920 under the direction of the National Directorate of Architecture. Architect Andrés Iñigo led the general project, while René Villeminot and Alberto Milillo supervised its artistic direction. Sculptor Víctor Juan Garino was commissioned to prepare a design, but that plan was not carried out because funding was lacking.
The monument was inaugurated on February 20, 1931, in the presence of President José Félix Uriburu. Workers from the Argentine Army’s Esteban de Luca Arsenal fitted its bronze pieces. At 25 metres high, it is a prominent landmark on the lower slope of the hill.
A short stop at the foot of the hill
The monument sits within a plaza and park area where you can pause before or after exploring Paseo Güemes. The elevated setting gives views across Salta, with sunset a good time to take them in. After dark, lighting makes the monument visible from the surrounding area.
You can walk from downtown or drive, with parking nearby. The site is also close to the cable car route up Cerro San Bernardo, so it can fit into a wider outing on the hill. The surrounding park is a simple place to rest in the shade; the main focus here is the monument, its connection to Güemes’s story and the view over the city.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is the Güemes Monument free to visit?
Yes. Access to the monument is free.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Plan for around 20 to 30 minutes to explore the monument and its plaza.
When is a good time to visit?
Sunset is a good time for views over Salta. The monument is also lit after dark.
Where is the Güemes Monument?
It stands at the end of Paseo Güemes, at the foot of Cerro San Bernardo in Salta.
