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Square · Astorga, Castela e Leão
Plaza Mayor de Astorga
Astorga's main square, with the 17th-century Baroque town hall and the clock where two figures in maragato costumes strike the hours.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Plaza Mayor de Astorga
The Plaza Mayor, officially praça de Espanha, is the center of life in Astorga, with arcades, cafés and the Baroque town hall building from the 17th century, with two towers and a stone façade decorated with coats of arms.
At the top of the façade, between the towers, is the clock, and next to it two figures dressed in the traditional costumes of the maragatos, the people of the region: a man and a woman, known by locals as Juan Zancuda and Colasa. On the hour they strike the bell with a hammer, and the moment gathers people in the square.
For centuries the maragatos were muleteers who transported goods between Galicia and Madrid, known for being honest and wealthy. Their culture appears in the houses, festivals and food of the region, such as the cozido maragato.
Around the square and on the streets leading to it are pastry shops selling mantecadas, butter cakes typical of the town, and chocolate shops.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
15 to 30 minutes; longer if you wait for the top of the hour to see the figures.
Best time
At any full hour to see the figures strike the bell. At noon the square is livelier.
How to get there
It's in the old town, about a 10-minute walk from the cathedral and 5 minutes from the Museu Romano.
Tip
Keep an eye on the clock a few minutes before the hour and have your camera ready: the figures' movement lasts only a short time.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Plaza Mayor de Astorga
Who are the figures of Astorga's clock?
Two figures in maragato costume, a man and a woman, called Juan Zancuda and Colasa, who strike the bell every hour.
Who were the maragatos?
The people of the Astorga region, for centuries muleteers who carried goods between Galicia and Madrid.
What are Astorga's mantecadas?
Typical small butter cakes from the town, sold in the pastry shops in the center.