20 de Febrero Monument, Salta Travel Guide

The 20 de Febrero Monument stands as a powerful symbol of Argentina's independence and a tribute to the Battle of Salta, a crucial military victory. This battle, fought on February 20, 1813, saw Manuel Belgrano leading the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata to victory against the royalist forces.Following the battle, Belgrano ordered the fallen from both sides to be buried on the site, and a wooden cross was erected with the inscription “Vencedores y vencidos en Salta, en 20 de febrero 1813”. In 1901, a competition was held to design a monument worthy of the battle's history, and Catalan sculptor Torcuato Tasso was commissioned. Carlos Thays designed the surrounding Plaza del 20 de Febrero. The monument was inaugurated on May 25, 1913.The monument showcases various moments from Belgrano's Salta campaign, including figures like Eustaquio Díaz Vélez and Manuel Dorrego. Sculptor Lola Mora contributed to the monument's design, with the lions and female figures symbolizing freedom. Today, the 20 de Febrero Monument serves as a gathering place and a site for reflection on Argentina's history.