The central square
Trees and fountains.
Ciudad de Mendoza — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Miguel — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Miguel — CC BY-SA 2.0
Plaza Independencia is the heart of Mendoza, opened in 1863 after the 1861 earthquake destroyed the old city. When the engineer Julio Balloffet replanned the city on a grid, he gave it five broad squares, one central and four around it at equal distances, to serve as refuges should another earthquake strike. Today the square is a large park of shady trees, fountains and walkways, framed by the Teatro Independencia, a historic hotel and the provincial legislature, with a craft market at weekends. From here visitors walk to the four other squares, the best known being Plaza España with its benches and fountain covered in colourful tiles. The square is free and always open, and is at its best in the evening, when the summer heat eases and people come out. The small irrigation channels along the city's streets, the acequias, need watching when you walk at night.
Trees and fountains.
Colourful tiles.
At weekends.
Between Patricias Mendocinas, Chile, Espejo and Rivadavia, central Mendoza
After the 1861 earthquake the city was replanned with a central square and four around it, as safe refuges should another earthquake strike.