You’ve arrived at Plaza de las Flores, one of Cádiz’s liveliest and most beloved squares, where the heart of the old town beats with a cheerful, steady rhythm. Officially it’s called Plaza Topete, but for locals it will always be “the square of flowers,” a name inspired by the colourful flower kiosks that have filled its centre for decades and given the place its warm, fragrant charm. Long ago, the square looked very different: until the early twentieth century it was occupied by the large convent of the Discalced Franciscans, inaugurated in 1628, and the area was known as Plaza de los Descalzos. The convent was demolished in the 1920s, clearing the way for the modern layout you see today. One of the standout buildings here is the Correos, the post office, built between 1925 and 1930, whose red-brick façade, azulejos and regionalist style make a striking contrast with Cádiz’s traditional architecture. Nearby, you’ll notice elegant historic homes, including the baroque residence at number 1 from 1746 and number 12, a neoclassical design by Torcuato Benjumeda, one of Cádiz’s great architectural figures.