To this day, Avenida 9 de Julio in Argentina still holds the title of "The Widest Avenue in the World". 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest street in the world located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is not only famous for its massive size but also carries within it a fascinating historical story, reflecting the glorious period and great ambitions of the Argentine capital.
In the early 20th century, Buenos Aires was known as the “Paris of South America,” a vibrant, chic, and modern city. To cement this reputation, the local government launched a series of ambitious architectural projects, inspired by iconic European structures.
The widest road in the world
One of the most prominent projects is the 9 de Julio Avenue. Initially, this project was simply a copy of the famous Champs-Elysees in Paris. However, the ambitions of the people of Buenos Aires did not stop there. They wanted to create an even wider and more impressive avenue, affirming the position and outstanding development of the city.
The massive scale of this road surprises many visitors.
Construction of 9 de Julio Avenue began in 1937 and took several phases to complete. Due to its massive scale and central location, the project faced many difficulties and challenges. The government was forced to relocate many buildings and deal with complex traffic and infrastructure issues.
However, with relentless efforts, 9 de Julio Avenue was finally completed in the 1980s, becoming a symbol of Buenos Aires' rapid development and international stature. With a width of 140 meters and 16 lanes, this avenue was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the widest street in the world.
It was a huge project that took nearly half a century to complete. In 1980, Avenida 9 de Julio was officially opened to traffic. Today, it still holds the record for being the widest avenue in the world.
To have enough space for the largest avenue in the urban center, people were forced to demolish 60,000 m2properties, along with displacing thousands of residents.
A multi-lane avenue in the heart of Buenos Aires
A TikToker recently filmed himself walking from one side of Avenida 9 de Julio to the other, taking a whopping 4 minutes and 17 seconds (including waiting for traffic lights). For comparison, the average avenue takes just 25 seconds to cross.
It is not easy to move on this road.
Along this avenue are neatly planned buildings. On the south side of the avenue stands the Constitución train station, while on the north side is the French Embassy with its European-style architecture, the Teatro Colón - one of the most beautiful buildings in Buenos Aires. In the middle of the avenue is the 70 m high Obelisco, which points towards the sky, built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Buenos Aires.
Today, 9 de Julio Avenue is not only an important traffic route but also a famous tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. Visitors can feel the hustle and bustle of the city, admire the unique architectural works and immerse themselves in the modern life of Buenos Aires.
9 de Julio Avenue is a monumental architectural work, bearing the historical and cultural imprint of Buenos Aires. It is not only a symbol of prosperity and modernity but also a testament to the great vision and ambition of the Argentine people.
