Plaza San Martín is the main square of Córdoba, Argentina, and the historical center of the city. A bronze equestrian statue of General José de San Martín, the leader of the independence campaign against the Spanish Empire, stands in the middle. Wide stone paths, benches and gardens under mature trees fill the square, and the Cathedral and the Cabildo face it. Cafes, souvenir shops and street music add life around the edges. Many city walking tours start here, and the Jesuit Block is nearby.
The square and its statue
Plaza San Martín was laid out in the colonial era as the main square of Córdoba and has been the civic center of the city since. Its design is formal and symmetrical, with wide stone paths, benches and landscaped gardens shaded by mature trees.
At the center, a bronze statue shows General José de San Martín on horseback. He was the principal leader of the regional campaign that won independence from the Spanish Empire, and people gather around the monument by day and by night. The square is also used for cultural events, fairs and exhibitions organized by the city.
The buildings around the plaza
The Cathedral, the Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, faces the square. It has been a National Historic Monument since the 1940s. Inside, the walls and ceiling are richly decorated, and the painter Emilio Caraffa, a local artist, painted the interior. Stained glass windows add to the nave. Guided visits leave every hour on the hour between 9am and 5pm from the entrance on the north side.
The Cabildo, the colonial government building, stands on the same side of the square. The Tourist Information Center is in the building to the right of the church and hands out maps and local information.
The cafes, souvenir shops and restaurants around the plaza make it easy to take a break between visits.
The Jesuit Block and the former jail
The Jesuit Block, built in the 17th century by Spanish Jesuit missionaries, is close to the square. UNESCO lists it as a World Heritage Site. It includes the Domestic Chapel, the Residence, the National College of Monserrat, the Church of the Society of Jesus and the former headquarters of the National University of Córdoba. The nearby Jesuit churches are an easy addition to a visit to the plaza.
A former jail just off the plaza is now a museum. It is decorated with photos and letters of people who went missing, and it is a serious and moving stop. It is one of the stops on the 11am La Docta walking tour.
Walking tours and evenings
The plaza is the usual meeting point for tours of the historic circuit. The route takes in the square, the Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Jesuit Block and the university. The guides are local, and the free tours work on a pay-what-you-think-fair basis.
In the evening, people sit on the benches to watch the Cathedral light up and the sky darken. Some bring a mate to share. Music, including tango, can drift out from the side streets.
Häufige Fragen
Is Plaza San Martín open at night?
Yes. The square is open 24 hours, every day. It is quieter in the early morning and in the evening.
What is there to see at Plaza San Martín?
The bronze equestrian statue of General San Martín stands in the center. The Cathedral and the Cabildo face the square. The Tourist Information Center is next to the church, and the Jesuit Block is nearby.
Can you visit the Cathedral?
Yes. Guided visits leave every hour on the hour from 9am to 5pm, from the entrance on the north side of the Cathedral.
Are there walking tours from the plaza?
Yes. The square is a common starting point for tours of the historic center, including free tours where you pay what you think the tour was worth at the end.
Is the plaza suitable for kids, dogs and wheelchair users?
Yes. Children and dogs are welcome, the entrance is wheelchair accessible, and there are public restrooms and a free parking lot.
