Macroplaza facts for kids
The Macroplaza, also called La Gran Plaza, is a giant town square right in the middle of Monterrey, Mexico. It's one of the biggest plazas in the world!
This amazing plaza covers 400,000 square meters, which is like 60 soccer fields put together! It has many different monuments, smaller squares, and pretty gardens. The Macroplaza was built in the early 1980s. To make space for it, some old buildings and even a famous movie theater had to be taken down.
One of the most famous sights here is the Faro del Comercio (which means Lighthouse of Commerce). It's a tall, modern lighthouse, 70 meters high, that shines a bright green laser beam across the city every night.
Famous Landmarks to See
The Macroplaza is known for its many interesting landmarks and walking areas. Here are some of the main ones:
- Palacio de Gobierno: This beautiful building is where the governor of the state works. It has a classic, old-style design.
- Faro del Comercio: This is the tall, modern lighthouse we talked about. It was designed by a famous architect named Luis Barragán. Don't miss its green laser light show at night!
- Explanada de los Heroes: This is a very large open space, about 19,400 square meters, right in front of the Palacio de Gobierno. It's a great place for big events.
- Jardín Hundido: Also known as Parque Hundido, this is a lovely, slightly hidden garden in the middle of the Macroplaza. It has different monuments and a cool fountain. There's even a special spot here, like London's Hyde Park, where people can stand and share their ideas.
- Teatro de la Ciudad: This is the city's theater, where you can watch plays and shows.
- Biblioteca Fray Servando Teresa de Mier: This is a public library where people can read and learn.
- Fuente de Neptuno: Also called Fuente de la Vida, this is a bronze fountain with a statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea.
- Capilla de los Dulces Nombres: This is a charming old Roman Catholic chapel that was built in the 1800s.
- Plaza Zaragoza: This was the original city square, located between the big Cathedral and the old city hall building. The old city hall is now a museum.
- Monterrey City Hall: This building, sometimes called Palacio de Cristal, is where the Mayor of Monterrey has their office.
- Homenaje al Sol: This is a special monument designed by artist Rufino Tamayo. You can find it at the very south end of the Macroplaza.
Many other important buildings are around the Macroplaza, like the Cathedral of Monterrey, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Monterrey (MARCO), and the Museum of Mexican History. While they are very close, they are not officially part of the plaza itself.
Other Fun Places Nearby
There are other cool places you can easily walk to from the Macroplaza:
- The Morelos pedestrian street is a great place for a stroll.
- The Plaza de los 400 años is another square nearby.
- The Santa Lucia Riverwalk is a beautiful canal where you can take boat rides.
- The Barrio Antiguo is an old neighborhood with historic buildings, cafes, and shops.
Getting Around
It's easy to get to the Macroplaza! You can use the Monterrey Metro (subway system). The Zaragoza station is right in the middle of the Macroplaza, close to the Neptune Fountain. There's also a parking lot if you come by car.
See also
In Spanish: Macroplaza para niños
- List of city squares
