Plaza Nueva, Seville

The plaza has undergone a series of name changes since the beginning of its construction in 1852:

• 1852: Plaza Nueva
• 1857: Infanta Isabel
• 1868: Plaza de la Libertad
• 1873: Plaza de la República
• 1875: Plaza de San Fernando
• 1931: Plaza Nueva^[1]

Prior to the 11th century, the area that is now Plaza Nueva was part of the Guadalquivir river. In the 1981, while digging to construct the Seville Metro, remains of a 10th-century ship and a two-meter-long 6th century Byzantine anchor were found under the plaza.^[2][1]

By the 11th century the space was occupied by a cemetery and several orchards.

From 1270 to 1840 the convent Convento Casa Grande de San Francisco occupied the area that is now Plaza Nueva. The convent and its gardens extended beyond the bounds of where the modern-day plaza is located, reaching as far as present day Calle Zaragoza.^[3] During the occupation of Seville by Napoleonic troops in the 19th century, the convent suffered great structural damage, including a fire in 1810. In 1840, the government decided to acquire the land and demolish what remained of the convent.

In 1848, María Isabel—the first daughter of the Duke of Montpensier and Infanta María Luisa—was born at the Alcázar of Seville. In her honor, on November 13, 1849, the City Council named the site *Plaza de la Princesa María Isabel* (Princess María Isabel Square), although it was known as *Plaza Nueva* (New Square) even in official documents.^[4][5] The Revolution of 1868 led to the square being renamed *Plaza de la Libertad* (Liberty Square). With the proclamation of the First Spanish Republic in 1873, it became known as *Plaza de la República* (Republic Square). That same year, the name was changed to *Plaza de la República Federal* (Federal Republic Square). In 1875, it was renamed *Plaza de San Fernando* (Saint Ferdinand Square).^[5] In 1931, with the advent of the Second Spanish Republic, it was named *Plaza de la República*, and in 1936, it reverted to the name *Plaza de San Fernando*. Nevertheless, local residents have always called it *Plaza Nueva*, as it was created much later than most of the squares in the city center.

The plaza was completed in 1856.^[1]

In the center of the plaza is an equestrian statue of Fernando III who conquered Seville for the Christians in 1248, and later was declared a saint by the Catholic church in 1671.^[6]

Since its construction, the designers of the plaza wanted to place a monument in the center of the plaza, thinking first of constructing a monument to Murillo and later thinking of erecting a statue of Isabella II.^[1]

It was finally decided on to build a monument to Fernando III in 1920. The monument is the work of Spanish architect Juan Talavera y Heredia and sculptor Joaquín Bilbao, and was inaugurated in August 1924.^[1]

• Seville City Hall
• Plaza de San Francisco, Seville