Visiting Constitution Square
Constitution Square, often referred to as Plaza Matriz, sits in the center of the old town district (Ciudad Vieja) in the heart of Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. What was once the only open plaza in a small fortified town is now one of the most visited squares in the capital.
History
Originally named Plaza Mayor, this site served as the primary public space for the fortified town of San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo. It was renamed in honor of the Spanish Constitution of Cadiz of 1812.
During the colonial era, Constitution Square functioned as the hub of civic life. It housed the seat of colonial government, and the nation's first constitution was signed in a building nearby. You can also view the Iglesia Matriz (Metropolitan Cathedral), which gives the square its alternative name.
The marble fountain standing in the center of the square was the first public fountain in the city. When the contract for the city's running water supply was signed in 1871, the fountain was included in the project, and it began operating alongside the launch of running water in Montevideo.
In the 1980s, a construction boom led to the demolition of several historic buildings in the old town, particularly around this square. Even when preservation was attempted, as with the Hotel Nogaro, the results were often jarring. The building was converted into an annex for the Ministry of Transport and eventually topped with a massive tower that clashes with the surrounding architecture.
Constitution Square Today
The square has evolved into a commercial and tourist destination. The nearby Sarandi pedestrian street features a variety of shops, cultural activities, and restaurants.
The square's fountain was built by an Italian immigrant in honor of the Constitution. Spanish speakers will notice a few spelling mistakes on the inscriptions! The square is surrounded by the cathedral and the cabildo (city hall). Starting in the mid-afternoon, it smells like cannabis because Uruguayans are allowed to smoke it in the street (heads up, foreigners are not).