Plaza de la República

The Plaza de la República, in Campeche

The Plaza de la República is a modern square of Campeche, created in the 1960s facing the gulf of Mexico, a stone's throw from the ocean. The Campeche audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this public space born of the modernisation of the city, conceived by the architect Joaquín Álvarez Ordóñez, dominated by the palace of the government from where the governor launches every 15 September the famous Grito de Independencia.

History

Unlike the Plaza de la Independencia, that goes back to the colonial era, the Plaza de la República is much more recent. It was created in the 1960s, during a period of modernisation of the city known under the name of Campeche Nuevo, whose objective was to endow the capital of the State with modern public spaces while preserving the historic centre. The square was conceived by the Mexican architect Joaquín Álvarez Ordóñez, an important figure of modern architecture in Campeche, whose work drew its inspiration from the great urban projects of the time, notably from the modernist architecture of Brasilia. From here, you glimpse the palace of the government of the State of Campeche: every year, on 15 September, it is from its balcony that the governor pronounces the famous Grito de Independencia, the ceremony that commemorates the beginning of the independence of Mexico, before thousands of people. Throughout the year, the square hosts concerts, shows, festivals and great traditional festivities, like the Magna Vaquería Peninsular, that gathers thousands of dancers and musicians around the jarana, the traditional dance of the peninsula of Yucatán.

What to see

Here you discover a great modern square born in the 1960s of the Campeche Nuevo project, conceived by the architect Joaquín Álvarez Ordóñez in the spirit of Brasilia; facing the gulf of Mexico, it is dominated by the palace of the government, from where rings out every 15 September the Grito de Independencia, and hosts concerts and great festivities like the Magna Vaquería. The Plaza de la República is modern Campeche at the edge of the ocean. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Plaza de la República lies near the waterfront of Campeche, a stone's throw from the ocean, facing the palace of the government, reachable on foot. It is a square in free access, particularly lively on 15 September and during festivals; the events follow the local calendar, which varies. You discover it during a walk.

When was the Plaza de la República of Campeche created?

It was created in the 1960s, during the modernisation of the city called Campeche Nuevo, and conceived by the architect Joaquín Álvarez Ordóñez, inspired by the modernist architecture of Brasilia; dominated by the palace of the government, it is the theatre, every 15 September, of the Grito de Independencia pronounced by the governor.

Where is the Plaza de la República in Campeche?

Near the waterfront of Campeche, a stone's throw from the ocean, facing the palace of the government, in Mexico.