Obelisco 🇬🇹

When you visit Guatemala City, make sure to check out El Obelisco, officially known as the Monumento a los Próceres de la Independencia. Erected in 1935 under the government of Jorge Ubico and designed by Rafael Pérez De León, this impressive stone monument commemorates the independence of Central America. Standing 18 meters high and weighing 221 tons, the massive column serves as a powerful symbol of regional history.

You will find it positioned right in the center of Plaza del Obelisco, a prominent, sprawling roundabout where four major city thoroughfares converge: Avenida Reforma, Boulevard Los Próceres, Avenida Las Americas, and Boulevard Liberacion. As you explore the area, you are stepping onto a site rich with past events; before this stone monument was built, the neoclassic Palacio de La Reforma occupied the location until destructive earthquakes leveled it between 1917 and 1918. Beyond admiring the towering stone architecture itself, you can see the flame of liberty, which was added beside the column in 1950 during the presidency of Juan José Arévalo.

It is a memorable stop for anyone interested in classic civic architecture and national history in the heart of Guatemala City.

What to see at Obelisco

• 18-meter-high, 221-ton stone structure commemorating Central American independence
• Designed by Rafael Pérez De León and built in 1935
• Features the flame of liberty added by the column in 1950
• Located in Plaza del Obelisco where four major avenues meet
• Historic site of the former neoclassic Palacio de La Reforma

Visiting tips

Since the monument sits at a major roundabout where four avenues meet, take extra care when navigating the surrounding traffic.

How long: 30-60 minutes · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Obelisco is easy to reach on Guatemala City’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Kaminaljuyu and Da'wah Mosque of Guatemala. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Guatemala City travel guide.