The Merced Square is one of the most important and emblematic squares in the city of Malaga.
It is located in one of the busiest and most touristic neighborhoods, in the downtown district of the city.
Previously it was called the market square, having several names until it came to be called the Plaza de la Merced. This place was badly burned in ancient times, so much so that the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Merced that was in this place disappeared.
It is located in a very old area of the city, where it is said that the painter Pablo Picasso used to sit in the square to paint the pigeons.
In fact the painter was born in one of the buildings of the place. A lot of history surrounds this square and the cobblestones that can be seen are proof of it.
Nowadays, fairs and festivals are held in this square and it is very popular with tourists as it is just steps away from the historic center of the city.
In its beginnings the square had a fountain in the center but this was demolished and a large obelisk was placed in honor of General Torrijos and his 48 comrades who were shot.
It is made of stone, bronze and platinum.
It is a mausoleum where the remains of these men rest.
It is the most striking monument of the square, it can be seen from afar and when we get closer we can appreciate its beauty.
General Torrijos is precisely buried in the center of the square where in 1842 the obelisk was built and his 47 companions in the smaller crypt under a marble slab. The bodies were carefully protected from humidity by means of different materials.
The obelisk was surrounded by stone and an iron fence.
After the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Merced burned down, this place was replaced by a block of buildings, very much of the time with fantastic architecture.
The square is surrounded by many businesses, buildings dedicated mainly to tourist rentals.
You can also see the Gibralfaro Castle and the entrance to the historic center.
Numerous trees decorate the square, and seats to admire the views.
Underneath the buildings an endless number of restaurants, very well located and decorated, welcomes tourists from all over the world, every day of the year.
The square has the emblematic presence of the statue made to Pablo Picasso, in a seat of the same. Tourists and residents sit next to it to take pictures.
The author of this sculpture was the artist Francisco Lopez Hernandez, remembering the times that Picasso painted the pigeons there.
One of the most relevant buildings in the square is the house where Picasso was born. Although it was restored, it contains his history.
It is a house museum, which can be visited and there you can find objects representative of the painter's childhood and youth as well as his first paintings and the place where he painted them.
We also find family objects and even paintings of Picasso's father. An exciting place that I will show you another time.
A beautiful place, full of ancient and modern history, art and tourism.
I hope you enjoyed it. Best regards to all of you and see you next time.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
Separators created by me in Photoshop.
Used translator Deepl.com free version.
[//]:# (!pinmapple 36.72332 lat -4.41756 long Merced Square 📷 Malaga – Spain. d3scr)
