Plaza de las Flores

Plaza de las Flores   © Gonzalo Alvarez
Plaza de las Flores

Plaza de las Flores

Plaza de las Flores has had a number of names over the years, beginning as Plaza Real then Plaza de la Cárcel, it became in turn Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza de José Antonio and finally (at least for now), Plaza de Las Flores. Somewhere along the way it was also known briefly as Plaza de Abastos (Provisions Square), where the markets alternated with bullfights. Confusing and downright dangerous if you turned up on the wrong day to buy potatoes. The old painted plaza name sign can be seen up on the wall justb to the left of Calle Rosales.

Pink Hibiscus flowers in Plaza de las Flores. © Sophie Carefull

Pink Hibiscus flowers in Plaza de las Flores

In the square you will find the Casa de las Tejerinas (previously Casa de la Cultura), which is itself worth a visit, and contains the Tourist Office and the MAD Art Gallery. The 18th century building itself is interesting. Called "House of Tejerinas" it has a central patio surrounded by columns, a balcony with arches and a lookout tower on the upper floor. It was owned by the sisters Carmen and Francisca Tejerina who donated it to become 'Hospital de la Caridad de las Madres Carmelitas Terciarias', a charity hospital for the poor. In the 1970's the town hall took it over and for many years up to about 2010 it was the 'Casa de Cultura' where exhibitions and courses took place. The cultural centre and library is now located in the larger 'Centro Cultural Padre Manual' in Calle San Fernando 2.

When the square was being renovated in the 1980s, fragments of Roman and Moorish pottery were uncovered, confirming that the original town had not been limited to site of the later castle alone. It became so after the Moorish defeat, and the site around Plaza de las Flores was not inhabited again until the end of the 18th century, when the town began to grow once more, breaking out of the castle walls. 

When the groundworks construction of Maravilla Palace Hotel on corner of Calle Carmen Sevilla took place in early 2016, works were delayed on finding Moorish tanning factory on the site which was then outside city walls and close to a stream (Calle de la Teraza). The remains are preserved in situ and will be visible under a glass floor panel.

Plaza de las Flores is Esteponas central square and a good meeting place and starting point to explore the old town. Equally it is a good place to remain and enjoy one of the many terrace cafes and restaurants.

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