Visiting the Puente de la Mujer
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava took on the challenge of honoring the women who shaped the history of Argentina in his signature style. Located at Dock 3 in Puerto Madero, the bridge opened in 2001, making it a relatively recent addition to the skyline of Buenos Aires. From the outside, it is a pedestrian bridge 160 meters long and 6.2 meters wide. It is divided into three sections. Two are fixed to the dock banks, while the third is a rotating mobile section supported by a conical white concrete pillar. This mechanism, held by a steel needle and a 39 meter tall concrete spine, allows the bridge to pivot in under two minutes to let watercraft pass.
Women and the tango
The Puente de la Mujer did not land in this neighborhood by accident. Puerto Madero is known for street names that pay tribute to women who left their mark on the country. As a young district that has only existed for about two decades, this area emphasizes a specific form of modernity where the symbolic role of Argentine women, such as Azucena Villaflor, is recognized. Yet women are not the only ones celebrated by this swaying structure. According to the architect, the bridge also represents a couple dancing the tango. In this interpretation, the white spine represents the man, while the curved deck symbolizes the woman in motion. Beyond its unique aesthetic, the Puente de la Mujer is an original way to marry local tradition with social modernity.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
This bridge, inaugurated in 2001, is convenient and nice to cross in the neighborhood. I wouldn't judge the neighborhood, just the bridge. It fits the spirit of the redevelopment of Puerto Madero, which is growing day by day with new buildings. At the end of the bridge on the Reserva side, you will find a statue of Anne Frank.