Macroplaza facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Macroplaza
Aerial view of Macroplaza Macroplaza and its surroundings

The Macroplaza is a huge public square right in the middle of Monterrey, Mexico. It's also known as La Gran Plaza, which means "The Great Plaza." This amazing space is the largest plaza in all of Mexico. It's even one of the five biggest plazas in the entire world!

Imagine a space as big as 400,000 square meters. That's how large the Macroplaza is! It's filled with many cool monuments, smaller squares, and beautiful gardens. It's a perfect place to explore and learn about the city's history.

The Macroplaza was built in the early 1980s. To create this big plaza, some older buildings and houses had to be moved. One of the most famous sights here is the Faro del Comercio. This modern lighthouse is 70 meters tall. At night, it shines a bright green laser light across the city.

What Can You See at the Macroplaza?

The tall Faro del Comercio lighthouse.

The Macroplaza is famous for its many interesting landmarks. Here are some of the main spots you can visit:

• Palacio de Gobierno: This grand building is where the governor of the state works. It has a classic, old-style look.
• Faro del Comercio: This modern monument was designed by a famous architect named Luis Barragán. It's known for its green laser that lights up the night sky.
• Explanada de los Heroes: This is a huge open area, about 19,400 square meters. It sits right in front of the Palacio de Gobierno.
• Jardín Hundido: This means "Sunken Garden." It's a bit hidden but has many monuments and a lovely fountain. There's even a special spot here, like London's Hyde Park, where people can share their ideas.
• Teatro de la Ciudad: This is the city's theater. It's a great place to watch plays and performances.
• Biblioteca Fray Servando Teresa de Mier: This is a public library where you can find many books and learn new things.
• Fuente de Neptuno: Also called "Fountain of Life," this bronze fountain features a statue of Neptune. He was the Roman god of the sea.
• Capilla de los Dulces Nombres: This is a small, old Roman Catholic chapel built in the 1800s.
• Plaza Zaragoza: This was the original city square. It's located between the big Cathedral and the old city hall building. That old building is now a museum.
• Monterrey City Hall: This building is also known as "The Crystal Palace." It's where the Mayor of Monterrey has his office.
• Homenaje al Sol: This is a special monument designed by Rufino Tamayo. It's located at the very south end of the Macroplaza.

Many other important buildings surround the Macroplaza. These include the Cathedral of Monterrey, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Monterrey (MARCO), and the Museum of Mexican History. However, these buildings are not actually part of the plaza itself.

Fun Places Nearby

There are other cool places you can walk to from the Macroplaza. To the west, you'll find the Morelos pedestrian street, which is great for walking. To the east, there's the beautiful Santa Lucia Riverwalk. You can also visit the historic Barrio Antiguo neighborhood.

How to Get There

Getting to the Macroplaza is easy! You can use the Monterrey Metro train system. The Zaragoza station is right in the middle of the Macroplaza, close to the Fuente de Neptuno. There's also a parking area if you come by car.

See also

In Spanish: Macroplaza para niños

• List of city squares