Plaza Muñoz Rivera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plaza Muñoz Rivera |
|
|---|---|
| { Part of Plaza Las Delicias } Formerly, Paseo de La Alameda (ca. 1800s) and Plaza de Las Delicias (1873, 1913) |
|
.jpg)
Plaza Muñoz Rivera in Ponce, Puerto Rico
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Type | Municipal Plaza and Urban park |
| Location | Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Area | 2,400 square meters (26,000 sq ft) |
| Created | 1670 |
| Operated by | Autonomous Municipality of Ponce |
| Visitors | over 200,000 |
| Status | Opened all year, 24 hours/day |
Plaza Muñoz Rivera, officially called Plaza Luis Muñoz Rivera, is one of two main squares in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. It's part of a larger area known as Plaza Las Delicias. This plaza is located on the north side of Plaza Las Delicias. It's famous for its pretty fountains and a special statue of Luis Muñoz Rivera.
Right next to Plaza Muñoz Rivera, you'll find important historic buildings like the Parque de Bombas (old firehouse) and the Ponce Cathedral. The plaza is right in the middle of the Ponce Historic Zone. It's surrounded by other cool places like the Armstrong-Poventud Residence, the Teatro Fox Delicias, and the Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture. This plaza has been around since 1670, when Ponce was first settled by the Spanish. It's a major tourist spot, with about 250,000 people visiting each year!
A Look Back: History of the Plaza
In old Spanish colonial towns, the main square, or plaza, was always the heart of the city. In Ponce, a big Catholic church was built right in the middle of what would have been one large plaza. This split the plaza into two separate sections.
The northern part is Plaza Muñoz Rivera, and the southern part is Plaza Federico Degetau. So, even though people often say "Plaza Las Delicias," they are actually talking about these two plazas together! Plaza Muñoz Rivera itself is quite large, covering about 2,400 square meters.
The story of this plaza goes way back to 1670. That's when the first Catholic chapel was built in Ponce. Around 1840, the mayor at the time, Salvador de Vives, worked to make the plaza even nicer by planting many trees. The plaza got its first lights in 1864.
An old map from 1874 shows that this northern plaza was already called "Las Delicias." The southern plaza was still known as "Plaza Mayor." Today, people often use "Plaza Las Delicias" to refer to either part. For example, a craft fair might be announced for "Plaza Las Delicias," but it actually happens in Plaza Degetau. Or, a town festival might be centered mostly in Plaza Muñoz Rivera, but people still call it "Plaza Las Delicias."
Legend:
1. Ponce Cathedral
2. Parque de Bombas (old firehouse)
3. Lions Fountain
4. Statue of Luis Muñoz Rivera
5. Statue of Juan Morel Campos
6. Statue of Domingo Cruz "Cocolia"
7. Obelisk for the "El Polvorin" Firemen
8. Statue of Blind Justice
9. Statue of woman with children, "Añoranzas"
10 & 11. Large Fountains
Why the Name?
Plaza Luis Muñoz Rivera is located just north of the Ponce Cathedral. It was once known as Paseo de La Alameda. Today, it's named after a very famous Puerto Rican leader, Luis Muñoz Rivera. He was a well-known poet, journalist, and politician. He was born in Barranquitas.
A large statue of Luis Muñoz Rivera stands proudly in the center of this plaza. This statue is made of bronze. It was created by an Italian sculptor named Luiggi Tomassi in Italy. The statue was officially revealed in 1923. Luis Yordán Dávila, who was the mayor of Ponce at that time, really pushed for this monument to be built. Besides the statue, this part of Plaza Las Delicias also has two beautiful fountains.
Where is it?
.jpg)
Plaza Muñoz Rivera has streets on all four sides. To the north, it's bordered by Plaza Muñoz Rivera street (also called Reina street and Isabel street). Union street is to the west, and Atocha street is to the east. To the south, you'll find the Ponce Cathedral and the Parque de Bombas.
Many buildings surround this plaza. There are hotels, banks, and small shops. You can also see the old Forenza building, which is now home to the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture. Other nearby landmarks include the Casa Armstrong-Poventud and the Teatro Fox Delicias.
What's it Like?
The plaza is a lovely place to visit. It has wide sidewalks with pretty mosaic tiles. You'll see well-kept flower gardens and neatly trimmed bushes. There are also large Indian laurel trees that provide shade. Old-fashioned lampposts from the late 1800s light up the area. You can also relax on the many marble benches. The main fountain is made of marble and bronze, adding to the plaza's beauty.
The plaza is surrounded by many other historic spots, like Paseo Atocha and the Casa Saurí (which is now the Ponce Ramada Hotel). During the day, the plaza is busy with schoolchildren, people shopping, and tourists exploring. After the sun goes down, you can often find live bands playing music. Families of all ages come to enjoy the concerts.
Gallery
-
Plaza Muñoz Rivera, looking west, in 2010
-
Plaza Muñoz Rivera, looking east, in 2010
.jpg)
.jpg)
