Constitution Square, Montevideo

{{Short description|City square in Montevideo, Uruguay}} {{Infobox street | name = Constitution Square | alternate_name = Plaza Matriz | image = Pconstitucion.JPG | caption = | coordinates = | native_name = {{langx|es|Plaza de la Constitución}} | maint = | location = Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo | postal_code = | metro_system = | metro = | inauguration_date = 1726 | known_for = | designer = | website = }}

{{Language with name/for|es|'''Plaza de la Constitución'''|Constitution Square}}, also known as ''Plaza Matriz'', is the oldest city square in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Located in ''barrio'' Ciudad Vieja, since 1726 was the ''plaza mayor'' of the Fortress City of San Felipe and Santiago of Montevideo, in which it was the only open public space.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-07 |title=Plaza de la Constitución - Matriz {{!}} Municipio B |url=https://municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy/node/208 |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307222517/https://municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy/node/208 |archive-date=2022-03-07 }}</ref> It is the center of the city's historic district, and is surrounded by important buildings, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo. It is, therefore, one of the most important tourist sites.

== History == left|thumb|207x207px|Constitution Square in 1870 Founded in 1726, two years after the founding of Montevideo, the square was a dusty plain until the end of the 18th century, when buildings were built around it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-22 |title=Plaza Matriz {{!}} Intendencia de Montevideo. |url=https://montevideo.gub.uy/areas-tematicas/cultura-y-tiempo-libre/parques-plazas-y-zoologicos/plaza-matriz |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822095042/https://montevideo.gub.uy/areas-tematicas/cultura-y-tiempo-libre/parques-plazas-y-zoologicos/plaza-matriz |archive-date=2022-08-22 }}</ref> From that moment on, official events and celebrations, both civil and military, were held in the space, as well as bullfights, since a bullring was located in the square.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-14 |title=Aquél Montevideo taurino {{!}} Viajes |url=http://viajes.elpais.com.uy/2018/06/02/aquel-montevideo-taurino/ |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414055733/http://viajes.elpais.com.uy/2018/06/02/aquel-montevideo-taurino/ |archive-date=2019-04-14 }}</ref>

In 1851, the square was structured in a centralized way with diagonal paths lined with trees, paved and equipped with benches and lanterns. thumb|Central fountain of the square In 1868, construction began on a steam pumping plant and a 60 km pipeline to supply the city with water.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museo del Agua (Usina Vieja de Aguas Corrientes) |url=http://www.museos.gub.uy/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=13:museo-del-agua-usina-vieja-de-aguas-corrientes |access-date=2022-01-11 |website=www.museos.gub.uy |language=es-es}}</ref> In addition, a fountain was built in the square to receive the water. On May 13, 1871, the water pumped from the Santa Lucía River to the Plaza Constitución arrived for the first time;<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-02 |title=Historia del agua corriente en Uruguay: Fynn, Lanús y Lezica |url=http://www.ose.com.uy/empresa/historia-del-agua-corriente-en-uruguay-fynn-lanus-y-lezica |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602024222/http://www.ose.com.uy/empresa/historia-del-agua-corriente-en-uruguay-fynn-lanus-y-lezica |archive-date=2022-06-02 }}</ref> Finally, the fountain was formally inaugurated by President Lorenzo Batlle y Grau on July 18.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historia del agua corriente en Uruguay: Fynn, Lanús y Lezica |url=http://www.ose.com.uy/empresa/historia-del-agua-corriente-en-uruguay-fynn-lanus-y-lezica |access-date=2022-01-11 |website=www.ose.com.uy}}</ref> The fountain is a design by architect Juan Manuel Ferrari, and is composed of a circular pool with an ornate column at its center that takes the form of three dishes that open in decreasing size. In the center there are four griffins alternated with various symbolic elements, such as the National Coat of Arms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-27 |title=Nuestra primera fuente y un baño imprevisto para ilustres {{!}} Viajes |url=http://viajes.elpais.com.uy/2021/12/26/nuestra-primera-fuente-y-un-bano-imprevisto-para-ilustres/ |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127184538/http://viajes.elpais.com.uy/2021/12/26/nuestra-primera-fuente-y-un-bano-imprevisto-para-ilustres/ |archive-date=2022-01-27 }}</ref>

In 2011 the central fountain was restored.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reinauguración de la fuente central de la Plaza Constitución |url=https://www.gub.uy/presidencia/comunicacion/noticias/reinauguracion-fuente-central-plaza-constitucion |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=Uruguay Presidencia |language=es}}</ref> It is currently the tourist and commercial axis of the ''barrio'' together with the Peatonal Sarandí. Nearby are offices, government buildings, banks, clothing stores, and cultural institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title=Ciudad Vieja {{!}} Municipio B |url=https://municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy/node/293 |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706040447/https://municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy/node/293 |archive-date=2022-07-06 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Se "aceleró definitivamente" el éxodo de oficinas desde Ciudad Vieja al este de Montevideo |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/se-agravo-el-exodo-de-oficinas-desde-ciudad-vieja-al-este-de-montevideo--202216509 |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=El Observador}}</ref>

== Geography == Surrounding the square are the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral, main Roman Catholic in the city to the west, and the Cabildo to the east.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-07 |title=Historia {{!}} Museo Histórico Cabildo |url=https://cabildo.montevideo.gub.uy/node/14/historia |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307222449/https://cabildo.montevideo.gub.uy/node/14/historia |archive-date=2022-03-07 }}</ref> Also on the east is Casa Vaeza, headquarters of the National Party.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Casa Vaeza - Ocampo - Sede del Partido Nacional {{!}} Municipio B |url=https://municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy/node/317 |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy}}</ref> To the south is the Peatonal Sarandí and Club Uruguay, while the headquarters of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works are to the north.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=Club Uruguay {{!}} Municipio B |url=https://municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy/node/206 |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809043412/https://municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy/node/206 |archive-date=2022-08-09 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-01 |title=Dependencias del {{!}} Ministerio de Transporte y Obras Públicas |url=https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-transporte-obras-publicas/institucional/contacto/dependencias |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801160520/https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-transporte-obras-publicas/institucional/contacto/dependencias |archive-date=2021-08-01 }}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery mode="packed" heights="120"> File:Kiosco en Montevideo.jpg|Characteristic kiosk of the city File:PlazaIndendenciaMontevideo1.jpg|Square name sign File:Gran Hotel Pyramides desde la Plaza Constitución.JPG|Building that housed the Pyramides Hotel File:J34 639 Plaza Matriz.jpg|View of the square from the southwest side File:Invierno colorido.JPG|Flea market in the square </gallery>

== References == <references />

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20101107155616/http://www.turismo.gub.uy/ciudad-vieja/ciudad-vieja-espacios-publicos Ministry of Tourism] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110514132614/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/arquitectura/edificios-y-espacios-calificados/plaza-matriz Intendencia de Montevideo]

Category:Squares in Montevideo Category:Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo Category:National Historic Monuments of Uruguay