 Pedreira square | |
 | |
| Native name | Plaza de la Pedreira o de Mugartegui (Spanish) |
|---|---|
| Type | plaza |
| Maintained by | Pontevedra City Council |
| Location | Pontevedra, Spain |
| Postal code | 36002 |
| Coordinates | 42°26′00″N8°38′36″W / 42.433417°N 8.643417°W |
The Plaza de la Pedreira (Stone Quarry Square) or Plaza de Mugartegui (Galician : Praza da Pedreira) is a square of medieval origin located in the northern part of the old town of Pontevedra (Spain).
The square takes its name from the work of the stonemasons who carved the stone for the town's houses at this location [1] ·. [2]
In ancient times, this area was called Vicus del Verrón. The Pedreira square has its origins in the Middle Ages. It was an esplanade on cultivated land, mainly vineyards, and was known as Eirado da Herba, as it was the place of the grass market [3] ·. [4]
The current name of the square derives from its later use, which recalls the place where the stonemasons worked the stone for the city's buildings, such as the nearby College of the Society of Jesus, the Church of Saint Bartholomew or the Palace of Mugartegui, for which a large quantity of stone was accumulated in the square. [5] This was the area of the city inhabited by the stonemasons. [6]
In 1479, Tristán de Montenegro, captain of the troops of Pontevedra in the succession to the throne of Castile, died in the pazo Mariño de Lobeira, which overlooks the square, mortally wounded by musket fire. For years, a light has remained lit in the room where he died to remind us of his glorious death. [7] · [8]
In January 1886, the square was renamed Mugartegui Square. The Municipal Corporation of Pontevedra agreed to change the name of the Plaza de la Pedreira to Plaza de Mugartegui to honour Francisco Javier Mugartegui, owner of the pazo de Mugartegui, lawyer, businessman, and politician of Pontevedra, for his interest in the prosperity of Pontevedra. [3]
On 25 April 1996, the traditional name of Plaza de la Pedreira replaced the name of Plaza de Mugartegui.
The square is located in the northern part of the historic centre of Pontevedra and its configuration has undergone some variations over time. It has an irregular trapezoidal shape, slightly curved on the south side, where there is a large stone wall. This wall belonged to the Casa de la Misericordia (House of Mercy), owned by the Bermúdez de Castro family. [3]
The square is an almost closed paved space with only two simple stone benches next to the large stone wall on the south side and another on the west side next to Mariño de Lobeira's mansion. The square can be accessed from César Boente Street, passing under the arch of this manor house, or from Pedreira, Padre Isla or Gregorio Fernández Street.
The buildings surrounding the square date from different periods, from the early modern period to the 18th and 19th centuries.
The central part of the north side of the square is presided over by the pazo de Mugartegui , which was originally the pazo of the Counts of Fefiñáns. This Baroque pazo was completed in 1771 and its large stone coat of arms was put up in 1773. The pazo has seven arches on its façade, supported by Tuscan columns. On the upper part of the stone coat of arms, there is a sundial. [9]
On the west side of the square is the Pazo de Mariño de Lobeira, a 16th-century Gothic building, [10] with some later modifications. It was built by the lords of Serra de Outes, Lobeira, Montenegro, and Soutomaior. [11] It consists of a ground floor and a first floor and has a characteristic passage on the ground floor with two pointed arches [12] that give access to the square. The Pazo has been used for various purposes throughout its history, including as a guest house.
On the east side of the square is an 18th-century house with a ground and upper floor and an external staircase to access it. [13]
The Palace of Mugartegui, or Palace of the Counts of Fefiñáns in Pontevedra, Spain, is a Baroque pazo dating from the 18th century. It currently houses the headquarters of the Regulatory Council of the Rías Baixas Designation of Origin.
The Palace of the Deputation of Pontevedra, in Pontevedra, Spain, is the seat of the Provincial Deputation of Pontevedra, the provincial government of the province of Pontevedra. It is located between the Alameda de Pontevedra and the Palm Trees Park.
The Plaza de la Leña is a picturesque medieval square located in the heart of the old town of Pontevedra (Spain). It is the most typical medieval square in the historic centre and in Galicia.
The Praza da Ferrería is a large square located on the edge of the old town of Pontevedra (Spain), inside the old city walls. It is the main square of the old town and has an area of about 2,000 m2. It includes the small squares of the Estrella on the north side, the Orense square on the south side and the Casto Sampedro square on the east side, making a total of almost 5,000 m2.
The Principal Theatre of Pontevedra (Teatro Principal de Pontevedra) is a theatre in the old town of Pontevedra (Spain).
The building of the former Pontevedra Normal School of Pontevedra, in Pontevedra, Spain, is an eclectic building from the end of the 19th century that was the headquarters of the teacher training college of this Galician city. It is located on the Gran Vía de Montero Ríos, between the Alameda de Pontevedra and the Palm Trees Park.
The Pazo de García Flórez is an 18th-century baroque pazo located between Sarmiento Street and Plaza de la Leña in the city of Pontevedra, Spain, in the heart of the old town.
The Pazo de Castro Monteagudo, is an 18th-century baroque pazo in Pasantería Street, next to the Plaza de la Leña in the city of Pontevedra, Spain, in the heart of the old town.
The Plaza de Teucro is a square of medieval origin located in the heart of the old town of Pontevedra (Spain). It is the most harmoniously proportioned medieval square in the city.
The Plaza de la Verdura is a square of medieval origin located in the heart of the historic centre of Pontevedra (Spain). It is one of the liveliest medieval squares in the city.
Méndez Núñez Square is a square of medieval origin located in the heart of the historic centre of Pontevedra (Spain).
The Plaza de la Peregrina is an 18th-century square located in the city centre of Pontevedra (Spain), on the edge of the historic centre.
The Liceo Casino is a neoclassical building from 1878 located in the historic centre of Pontevedra, which houses the oldest cultural and leisure society in Pontevedra, Spain.
Curros Enríquez Square is a square of medieval origin located in the heart of the historic centre of Pontevedra (Spain), on the Portuguese pilgrimage way.
St. Joseph's Square is a 19th century square located in the centre of the city of Pontevedra (Spain), in the first urban expansion area, near the Campolongo neighbourhood.
The Plaza del Muelle or Praza do Peirao is a square of medieval origin located at the northern edge of the historic centre of Pontevedra (Spain), very close to the Burgo Bridge and the old port neighbourhood A Moureira.
The Plaza de las Cinco Calles is a square of medieval origin located in the heart of the historic centre of the city of Pontevedra (Spain).
Calle Real is a street in the Spanish city of Pontevedra, located in the city's historic centre.
The Casa del Correo Viejo is a 16th-century Gothic nobleman's house in the old town of Pontevedra, Spain.
Calle Sarmiento is a street in the Spanish city of Pontevedra, located in the city's historic centre.
