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Floralis Generica — The complete steel flower rising above the park under a clear blue skyPhoto: Denise Mayumi · CC BY 2.0 · edited
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Floralis Generica

Monuments & memorials ·Buenos Aires
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#1Monuments & memorials in Argentina#1Monuments & memorials in Buenos AiresTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Floralis Generica is a steel flower on United Nations Square in Recoleta, whose six petals open at 8 am and close at sunset.

More photos 10

1 / 10
Floralis Generica — The flower sculpture standing across the green lawn with visitors nearby Robert Cutts · CC BY-SA 2.0 · edited
Floralis Generica — The flower sculpture standing across the green lawn with visitors nearbyFloralis Generica — The flower reflected in the pond beneath a deep blue skyFloralis Generica — The sculpture at dusk, with warm light on its opening petalsFloralis Generica — Golden evening light across the flower and surrounding parkFloralis Generica — The flower beside the water with its petals reflected belowFloralis Generica — The towering petals and central structure above the pondFloralis Generica — The sculpture seen from across the open park groundsFloralis Generica — The flower's mirrored petals against a cloudy sky and green lawnFloralis Generica — The sculpture viewed vertically beside the water at sunsetFloralis Generica — The open flower against a bright, clouded sky by the pond

Why go

  • Six steel petals that reach up toward the sky, spanning 32 m (105 ft) when fully open.
  • The flower at night, closed and glowing red from inside.
  • Paths around the four-acre park that bring you closer to the flower and give different views of it.

About the work

artist
Eduardo Catalano, Argentine architect
year
2002
material
Stainless steel with an aluminum skeleton and reinforced concrete
size
Petals span 26 m (85 ft) when closed and 32 m (105 ft) when fully open

Interesting facts5

1/5

  1. Catalano called it a synthesis of all flowers and a hope reborn every day at opening.

    Floralis Genérica - Wikipedia

  2. Catalano said the name links to flora and to the idea of all the flowers in the world.

    Floralis Genérica - Wikipedia

  3. One of the petals was installed wrongly during assembly.

    Floralis Genérica - Wikipedia

  4. An electrical system opens and closes the petals automatically by time of day.

    Floralis Genérica - Wikipedia

  5. The sculpture weighs eighteen tons.

    Floralis Genérica - Wikipedia

Shorts

Photo spots

  • Paths around the parkFrom the paths around the park the flower can be seen from different views.Park paths around Floralis Generica, United Nations SquareDaytime, while the petals are open On the map
  • The reflecting poolThe flower rises above a reflecting pool 44 m (144 ft) across, which is both decorative and protective.Center of the park, at the base of the flowerDaytime, while the petals are open On the map

History

Architect Eduardo Catalano gave the flower to the city as a gift. It was created and inaugurated in 2002 on United Nations Square, in the Recoleta quarter. Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina built it and gave a 25-year warranty. A strong storm once made parts of the flower fall, including two main petals.

  1. 2002The flower was created and inaugurated on United Nations Square, a gift from Eduardo Catalano to the city.
  2. 2010The opening mechanism was disabled, and the petals stayed permanently open.
  3. June 2015By June 2015 the mechanism worked again.

Legends and hidden details

  • One petal was wrongly installed during assembly, and Catalano said so himself.

Best time to visit

  • The petals open at 8 am and close at sunset, so the flower is open during the day.
  • Before 8 am the petals are still shut; they reopen at 8 am.
  • After sunset the flower is shut and glows red from inside.
  • The petals stay open on four special nights each year.
  • Strong winds also close the petals, so on a windy day the flower may be shut.

Sources: Floralis Genérica - Wikipedia · Buenos Aires/Palermo and Recoleta - Wikivoyage … · Floralis Genérica - Wikipedia · checked 19 Oct 2026

Where
Av Pres Figueroa Alcorta, Buenos Aires

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What time does Floralis Generica open and close?

Its petals reopen at 8 am each morning and close again at sunset, so daytime is when the flower is open.

Where is Floralis Generica?

It stands in the center of a four-acre park in the Recoleta quarter, at United Nations Square (Plaza de las Naciones Unidas) on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta.

Does Floralis Generica stay open at night?

No, the flower is shut after sunset, except on four special nights each year when its petals stay open.

Who gave Floralis Generica to the city?

Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano gave it to the city as a gift.

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