Plaza San Martín is the neighborhood's main green space and the scene of numerous historical events, such as a battle during the British invasion at the beginning of the 19th century. The park was designed by the French landscaper Carlos Thays and has wide pedestrian paths with old specimens of linden, willow, pine, oak and ceibo trees. The leafy plaza is also surrounded by some of Buenos Aires’ most impressive public buildings.
The park’s most prominent monument is the Monumento al Gral. San Martín, an equestrian statue of José de San Martín; visiting dignitaries often come to honor the country’s liberator by leaving wreaths at its base. On the downhill side of the park you’ll see the Monumento a los Caídos de Malvinas, 25 black marble plaques with the names of the 649 soldiers who died in the Falklands War (1982). Also look out for La Duda (The Doubt), a neo-classical marble sculpture by Charles Cordier expressing the dilemma of religious belief.
At the southern end of the plaza is Estación Retiro (Retiro train station), built by the British in 1915.
