Can you see all the numbers on the balconies around this square? They correspond to seating that was hired out when this square was used for bullfighting. In those days, the city council could sell these private balconies to the public, and the owner of the flat was allowed access to a window or half the balcony.
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Can you see all the numbers on the balconies around this square? They correspond to seating that was hired out when this square was used for bullfighting. In those days, the city council could sell these private balconies to the public, and the owner of the flat was allowed access to a window or half the balcony.
From 1838 the city council also occupied the main building which presides over this square, until in 1947 it became the municipal library when the council moved into the premises of what had been the Grand Casino, in the Alderdi Eder gardens beside La Concha beach.
Built in 1722 to replace the old square, it was called New Square, or Plaza Berria in Basque. This required a modification of the layout of the city, with the disappearance of the streets which joined Narrica and San Jeronimo Streets. One year later the first bull fight was celebrated in the New Square, lit by more than 900 torches.
On 31 August 1813, it was all destroyed in the War of Independence, then completely rebuilt and inaugurated again in 1817. For many years there was a street market here until the market of La Bretxa was opened nearby.
As far as the names of this square are concerned, in 1820 the Basque name of Plaza Berria was replaced by the Spanish Plaza de la Constitución - Constitution Square, then going back to Plaza Berria in 1897. After that, it was called 18th July Square, until finally reverting to Constitution Square in 1979.
In 1993, it was renovated as part of the restoration work carried out throughout the Old Part, giving its facades the look and colour they had boasted in previous times.
And one final question... Had you ever seen a square bull ring before? It's not very typical... only two are now left in the whole of Spain.
