Mendoza Squares Walk (Self Guided), Mendoza

Plaza Pedro del Castillo is named after the city founder, Don Pedro del Castillo. It was inaugurated on March 2, 1561. This picturesque square features a great variety of rare trees brought from Argentinian forests, as well as from Spain and Brazil. This place used to be the epicenter of religious, social and cultural life in the city, until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1861. The Plaza Pedro del Castillo has been designated an historic heritage monument and today represents significant cultural value, it also attracts a lot of tourists.

Parque Bernardo O'Higgins was established in 1903 as the part of an urban beautification project. The park was named in honor of Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme, the Chilean independence leader who, together with José de San Martín, freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. His bust was set in 1959. The O'Higgins Park occupies 160,000 square meters of forested meadows, bordered by small ditches and old trees, perfect for walking during a sunny afternoon.

The Plaza Sarmiento was inaugurated in the middle of the 19th century, after a major earthquake that destroyed Mendoza almost completely. The square is named after Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, the former president of Argentina. His grandiose monument is installed in the center of the square, the leader is depicted in the orator pose, with a huge condor protecting him from his back.

Plaza San Martín is one the four symmetrical squares that create the city green-ensemble. It features the equestrian statue of General San Martin, created by Joseph F. Garcia. The “Liberator” points his finger to the west, in an allusion to the crossing of the Andes to liberate Chile and Peru. The square is also famous for the beautifully arranged flowerbeds and alleys.

Plaza Chile symbolizes the partnership and solidarity between Argentina and Chile. In the center of the square, we find a monument dedicated to the memory of two heroes revered by both countries. These heroes are Bernardo O'Higgins and General San Martin, they stand shoulder to shoulder in the common fight for the independence and prosperity of their motherlands.

The square also features rare trees, including eucalyptus and a spectacular aguaribay, the oldest in the city.

Plaza Italia is one of the “checkerboard” squares planned by the Argentinian government for the New City of Mendoza after the earthquake of 1861. In 1919, the “Loba Capitolina” (Capitoline Wolf), a bronze sculpture of a she-wolf suckling twin infants (Romulus and Remus), inspired by the legend of the founding of Rome, was setup in the center of the square. In 1951, the square was remodeled with the addition of a central fountain, a stunning work by Luis Perlotti, representing Italo-Argentinian fellowship. At the base of the composition were placed Italian and Argentinian shields, on the sides – two stone figures, 3.3 meters each, representing Argentina with a harvest and Italy with a book. In the center of the composition, stands a grandiose figure of Rome. In 1996, a new sculpture was installed in the central fountain of the square. The figure, designed by Giorgio Igne, represents a woman leading a horse with one of her hands and keeping the other on a wheel with Italian regional insignias. This sculpture symbolizes happy and prosperous Argentinian future, based on the lessons of its history and past.

Plaza España is one of the most popular squares with tourists. The square greets its guests with a typical Spanish patio and a magnificent monument depicting two women: Spain, experienced and powerful; and Argentina, young and energetic. The monument consists of seven scenes: the discovery of America, the foundation of the City of Mendoza, the missionary work of the religious orders, and scenes from "Don Quixote" and "Martin Fierro" with allusive paragraphs. The square also features a beautiful fountain right in front of the monument, completing the ensemble.

Plaza Independencia is the main square in the city of Mendoza, it represents 55,000 square meters of green space, creating a perfect place for rest and recreation. The square features many rare and beautiful trees and plants, as well as an incredible fountain with a stunning monument, called “Frieze of Independence”. It depicts several scenes- the first one is an indigenous woman, mounted on a horse and carrying a crucifix in her hand, a symbol of evangelization. The next offers a dramatic view of the oppressed man, who turns his back with his hands tied up; the following scene shows the same man set free. There are also murals that symbolize family, immigrants labor and culture, leading us along the way to independence. This composition gives homage to the immigrant labor and efforts that raised this province, and finally addresses culture as a great liberating force, implying, that there is no independence without culture. The Plaza Independencia also houses the small Teatro Municipal Julio Quintanilla and the Municipal Museum of Modern Art.