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floralis generica | buenos aires

The Floralis Generica is a true icon of Buenos Aires, and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Weighing 18-tons, and towering 23-metres into the sky, there’s really no other flower in the world quite like it.

floralis generica | buenos aires

The Floralis Generica is absolutely striking © Matias Ramos (Unsplash)

Located in the centre of a reflecting pool at the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas, the Floralis Generica is a sight you won’t soon forget.

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The Floralis Genérica

Designed, constructed, and paid for by famous Argentine architect, Eduardo Catalano, the gigantic flower was given as a gift to the city of his birth in 2002.

floralis generica | buenos aires

Plaza de las Naciones Unidas © Gabriel Ramos (Unsplash)

Surrounded by walking paths and picnic areas that provide different perspectives of the glimmering flower, it’s the perfect place to take a breather if you’re exploring La Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza Francia, or the northern neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires.

Read on to learn 5 amazing facts about the Floralis Genérica in Argentina.

1. The Floralis Generica is enormous.

Made of stainless steel, aluminum, and reinforced concrete, the Floralis Generica weighs 18-tons, stands 23-metres | 75-feet tall, and spreads out to a maximum width of 32-metres | 105-feet.

floralis generica | buenos aires argentina

The flower is MASSIVE © Celso Hashimoto (Unsplash)

The flower is made up of 6 steel petals, each measuring 13-meters | 43-feet long. When the petals are closed, the sculpture stands 75-feet tall and has a diameter of 52-feet. When in full bloom, the petals span out to an awesome 32-metres | 105-feet.

2. It’s ALIVE!

The Floralis Generica’s petals were designed to close every night and blossom anew every day, symbolizing Catalano’s idea that the flower was “a synthesis of all the flowers and…a hope that is reborn every day to open.”

floralis generica | buenos aires

The sculpture was designed to bloom anew every day.

The petals are scheduled to open at 8AM, and close at sunset, with the timing adapted to the season. It takes about 20 minutes for the sculpture to open and close each time.

The Floralis Generica remains open to commemorate 4 special days. These are: May 25th (May Revolution), September 21st (beginning of spring) December 24th (Christmas Eve), and December 31st (NYE).

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3. You’ll be lucky to see it bloom.

The Floralis Generica has periodically remained either permanently open or closed, due to various mechanical / construction issues. The longest bout was from 2010 – 2015, when the flower,was stuck in a fully open position, until repairs could be made.

floralis generica | buenos aires

When I visited, the flower was stuck in full bloom.

Now, it’s theoretically supposed to be in full working condition, but recent reviews seem hit or miss. When I visited, I wasn’t able to witness the blooming firsthand, but it’s still enjoyed my time there. It’s worth seeing.

4. The name has symbolism.

The Floralis Generica isn’t just a pretty silver flower. According to the creator, Eduardo Catalano, it’s a flower that belongs to the world. Floralis, as in flora / flowers, and Genérica, arising from the idea of gender – meaning that it represents all flowers in the world.

floralis generica | buenos aires

The Floralis Generica is a homage to all flowers.

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5. It’s free to visit!

The Floralis Generica is open 24 hours a day, and it’s totally free to see. Befitting for a sculpture that was given to the city of Buenos Aires as a gift, wouldn’t you say?

floralis generica | buenos aires

It’s free to see the Floralis Generica © Deensel (CC BY 2.0)

How to go to the Floralis Generica

Address: Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 2301, C1425 CABA, Argentina

The Floralis Generica is located in Recoleta in the centre of the Plaza Naciones Unidas. It’s a 4 minute walk from the closest metro station: Facultad de Derecho on Line H. There are also several nearby bus stops on the Av. Figueroa Alcorta, if you prefer that mode of transport.

floralis generica map

If you’re already out exploring Barrio Norte and Recoleta, the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas is walking distance from several other attractions in the area, including:

  • La Recoleta Cemetery: 13 minutes
  • Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: 7 minutes
  • Plaza Francia: 6 minutes

The Floralis Generica’s location in the centre of a 4 acre park is a peaceful place to take a breather in the middle of any tour around Buenos Aires.

floralis generica | buenos aires

The Floralis Generica is a nice break from a day of touring © Osmar Valdebenito (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Beautiful building after beautiful building can get overwhelming and pedestrian after a while, but lying on the grass, watching the sun glinting off the steel petals of the Floralis Generica was the perfect respite from the busy streets of Buenos Aires.

Just watch out for this giant rat/mouse type thing on your walk there… 😉

This rodent was as giant as the Floralis Generica.

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Floralis Generica: Essential Info and FAQs

1
How much is admission to Floralis Generica? It's FREE to visit. The silver flower sits in the middle of a park and is available for viewing 24 hours a day.
2
Who designed the Floralis Generica? The Floralis Generica was designed by the Argentine architect, Eduardo Catalano. He also paid for the sculpture to be built!
3
Do the petals of the Floralis Generica actually open and close? Its petals were designed to open and close every day, but since it's often undergoing repairs, the flower remains either fully open, or fully closed most of the time.
4
What is the flower of Buenos Aires? The flower of Buenos Aires is the Floralis Genérica.

Do you want to see the Floralis Genérica in Buenos Aires? 

Comments:

  • August 21, 2013

    That’s a beautiful idea for a sculpture.

    reply...
  • June 29, 2013

    I love the sentiment behind the sculpture but not sure I’d enjoy running the rat gauntlet.

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    • June 30, 2013

      That rat was 35 centimetres long, not including the tail. Even my hubby was horrified and disgusted by it.

      reply...
  • June 29, 2013

    Brings back memories of our trip to Buenos Aires in 2011!

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    • June 30, 2013

      Did you see the hideous gigantor rat thing too? It was Ewww 😉

      reply...
  • June 28, 2013

    What a pity that they stopped the opening and closing of the bloom – as I really love that idea!! But still an amazing peice of art!

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    • June 30, 2013

      It really is! I would’ve loved to see it!

      reply...

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