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Square · A Coruña, Galicia
Praza de María Pita
Large square in A Coruña, over 10,000 m², surrounded by arcades and glass galleries, with the town hall and the statue of María Pita, heroine of the city's defense against the English fleet in 1589.
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 Praza de María Pita
The plaza de María Pita is the center of the city's life. It was designed in 1877 by the architect Juan de Ciórraga, after the city wall was demolished, to link the Cidade Velha with the Pescaría neighborhood. It is a large rectangle of more than 10,000 square meters, closed to traffic since the late 1980s.
On one side stands the municipal palace, the town hall, from the early 20th century, with a monumental façade and three domes. The other three sides have buildings with arcades on the ground floor and glass galleries on the upper floors, like those on avenida da Mariña.
In the middle of the square is the statue of María Pita, facing the town hall. She is the heroine of the city's defense in 1589, when the English fleet commanded by Francis Drake attacked A Coruña. According to tradition, María Pita killed an English soldier on the wall and encouraged the inhabitants to resist.
The arcades house cafés and restaurants with tables in the square, and the surrounding streets, like da Estrela and da Franxa, concentrate the tapas bars.
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
20 to 30 minutes.
Best time
In the late afternoon and at night, when the cafés in the arcades fill up.
How to get there
It's in the center, between the Cidade Velha and the Pescaría, about a 5-minute walk from avenida da Mariña.
Tip
Leave the square via the streets da Estrela and da Franxa for a tapas crawl: they're just a few steps away.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Praza de María Pita
Who was María Pita?
The heroine of A Coruña's defence in 1589 against the attack by the English squadron of Francis Drake.
What is in the praça de María Pita?
The city hall, the statue of María Pita and buildings with arcades and glass galleries.
Where to eat near the praça?
On the streets da Estrela, da Franxa and da Galera, with tapas bars and restaurants.