Plaza de Armas, San Juan

The main square of Old San Juan, laid out in the sixteenth century as a drilling ground for Spanish troops and long the civic centre of the colonial city. It is framed by the neoclassical city hall and other historic buildings, and features a fountain surrounded by four marble statues representing the seasons. Shaded by trees and lined with cafes, the plaza fills with residents, chess players and street performers. It remains the social hub of the walled quarter and a favourite meeting point for visitors exploring the district.