Built on the site of an old monastery, Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the biggest square in Valencia’s centre. Throughout the decades, many renovations and changes to its appearance have made it a focal point in Valencian life and the crossroads of many of the main streets in the city.

• 1239 Monastery

  King James I the Conqueror granted permission to the Franciscan congregation to build a monastery on the site of a then pleasure house (this would be right where the square is today). The convent remained within the inner city after the construction of the new city walls in the 14th century.

• 1805 Passageway

  By this time, the wall of the convent’s garden had been demolished (without the monks’ permission), in a spontaneous attempt at urban reform. The intention was that of opening up a passageway that would allow citizens to go from one side to the other without having to go around the entire convent.

• 1835 Cavalry barracks

  The monks were forced to abandon the convent and the building was converted into cavalry barracks.

• 1892 Empty plot

  Due to the deterioration of the convent-barracks, the building was demolished, leaving in its place a large plot of land.

• End of 1800s Park

  Various trees, gardens, and hedges were planted in the large empty space. A park began to take shape, becoming a place for Christmas fairs, circus shows, or travelling theatres.

• Early 1900s Municipal investment

  The Municipal Council had been transferred (at first temporarily, then definitely) to the building it currently occupies, the Casa Consistorial. With the transfer, the authorities began to be interested in using the square as a commercial and administrative centre.

• 1907 Demolishment of prostitutes’ neighbourhood

  The area where the Correos building is now located was cleaned up and the plot of land was emptied as part of the urban reforms. At the time, the area was known as Barrio de Pescadores (Fishermen’s Neighbourhood).

  The place had originally been an actual neighbourhood for fishermen, but with the closure of the city’s brothel, prostitutes had begun to occupy the area and it had acquired a bad reputation as a result.

• 1927 Urbanisation project

  Municipal architect Javier Goerlich Lleó was commissioned for the development and creation of a new square. For this new design, a street was demolished.

• 1933 Inauguration of the new square

  The centre of the new square had been raised by about 4 m (13 feet), creating an underground space where the flower stalls (above ground up until then) were installed. This change was praised by some and criticised by many.

• 1961 Demolition of the platform

  After many complaints from the citizens, the raised platform was demolished, leaving an empty space.

• 1987 Plaza del Ayuntamiento

  After having had many names, the square was finally given the name it still bears, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.