Plaza Alta

Historia

Plaza Alta is a square in the old town of Algeciras, Spain. It is one of the major centres of activity in the city, hosting numerous events and festivals throughout the year. Some of the city's most important buildings such as the Iglesia de la Palma and the Capilla de Europa stand on the square while neighbouring streets include Calle Ancha and Calle Convento.GeographyThe plaza is bounded by Camino Pablo Mayaho and Camino Ventura Moron. The Iglesia de la Palma is to the west, while the Capilla de Europa is to the southeast.NameThe square has had various names over time which mirror the history of Spain. Its first name, as today, was Plaza Alta which can be seen on a map dated 1725. After the city's replanning in 1807, Manuel Godoy called it Plaza del Almirante but shortly afterwards it became Plaza del Rey, then in conjunction with the 1821 insurrection, Plaza de la Constitución, returning to its previous name in 1824. From 10 October 1830, to mark Isabel II's ascension to the throne it was changed to Plaza de la Reina. In 1873, with the proclamation of the republic, it again became Plaza de la Constitución, a name it kept until 1931 when it was renamed Plaza de la República and in 1936, after the Civil War, Plaza del Generalísimo Franco. Finally during the transition, it finally returned to its original name, Plaza Alta, which in fact was what everyone had always called it.