Torre del Reformador, Guatemala City

The Tower of the Reformer is a metallic structure brought from the United States. It was inaugurated on 19 July 1935 and called the Torre Conmemorativa del 19 de Julio (Commemorative Tower of the 19th of July), to celebrate the hundred years since the birth of General Justo Rufino Barrios. It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, although the Guatemalan tower is just 75 meters high. This structure represents one of the symbols and prides of the Guatemalan capital. On the top of the tower there is a bell which was donated by Belgium, and which traditionally sounds only for General Justo Rufino Barrios' anniversary. In 1986 a beacon was placed on the tower in order to guide the planes towards La Aurora airport. In 1994, American Airlines donated a new beacon, also used for the same purpose. It is advisable to see the tower during the day while driving along a street that passes through it.