Plaza Mayor or Main Square was built at the same time the villa was founded. It experienced several names changes over the years: Plaza de la Constitución, Serrano and Plaza de Martí before settling back to Plaza Mayor. Alexander von Humboldt donated two bronze greyhounds to guard the entrance while a Terpischord adorns the centre.

About Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor

The original Plaza Mayor was named after Fernando VII and built when the villa itself was founded. The southern end here is guarded by two bronze grey hounds which were donated by the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt who lived in Trinidad for a while.

During the constitutional period the Main Square was renamed Plaza de la Constitución. It underwent several more name changes: Serrano in honour of the brigadier governor Luis María Serrano who restored the gardens and placed wrought iron railings around the perimeter; Plaza de Martí and then back to Plaza Mayor once again.

Since governor Serrano’s restoration it still preserves that early 19th century image, with traditional urns and a garden of tall palm trees encircled by white railings.

The last decorative aspect is this elegant sculpture of Terpischord, otherwise known as the muse of dance, which gracefully adorns the centre of the Square.

References

José Martí, Trinidad de Cuba, Colombia 2003, pp22-23.

Juan de las Cuevas Toraya, 500 Años De Construcciones En Cuba, Havana 2001, p142.

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