Santiponce Itálica

Heritage

An immense legacy waiting to be discovered

Plaza Vieja

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The Old Square is also known as the Plaza Cardenal Spínola. 

The relationship between La Puebla de Cazalla and Miguel de Cervantes has been documented. Miguel de Cervantes worked for the Crown in the chapter houses that were located in the former Plaza Real, now known as the Plaza Vieja. This Square is the town’s heart since its repopulation in 1502. On the 400th anniversary of the writer’s death (1616-2016), the town council agreed to erect a memorial in the Plaza Vieja to commemorate his visit to the town in March 1593.

Architecturally, this public space reflects a typical Castilian square, with porches and balconies that were rented to visitors during the local festivals. It became the town’s first public and commercial Square, where the most representative buildings were located: town hall, granary and main church. The town hall’s buildings and the old church were demolished in the early 19th century, although a new temple was built over the former church.     

On the north side of this Square is Calle Mesones, a road that linked Seville with Granada and Malaga. The street had two inns, an olive oil mill and various shops, as well as the defunct Shrine and Hospital of Our Lady of Conception. Further on, the Little Arch (Arquillo) of the granary gave access to the Plaza del Arquillo where butchers’ and bakeries where located. These unique buildings disappeared over the centuries and were replaced by more modern ones.

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