Plaza de Armas - Definition and Overview

The Plaza de Armas is the name for the main square in many Latin American cities. It is often located adjacent to governmental buildings, churches, and other structures of cultural or political significance. While some large cities have both a Plaza de Armas and a Plaza Mayor in most cities those are two names for the same place.

One example is the Plaza de Armas in Pisco, Peru, where people get together and meet. The Plaza contains many landmarks including the 18th century Cathedral,Baroque Iglesia de la Compañía and an elaborate main post office that was once the Spanish governor's residence. The square became the base of administrative, commercial and social life when the city was founded in 1541 and today it remains the centre of life in the city. There is always something to do because there are people from all walks of life, local artists and buskers, or at night with games.