Plaza de la Bandera (Flag Square), Montevideo

Flag Square (Plaza de la Bandera), also known as Democracy Square or Oriental Nationality Square, is a significant public space and road junction in the Three Crosses (Tres Cruces) neighborhood of Montevideo. This bustling square connects three of Montevideo's major thoroughfares-Italy Avenue, Artigas Boulevard, and October 8th Avenue. These roads are crucial for their heavy traffic flow, serving as key routes into the city's central business district.

The square is strategically situated opposite the Tres Cruces bus station and mall, which is the main bus terminal in the country, making it a central hub of activity. The plaza was officially inaugurated on December 15, 1978, during the civic-military regime and featured a prominent flagpole with the national flag.

Following the end of the dictatorship in 1985, the square was renamed Democracy Square. Over the years, it has been adorned with several significant monuments. A notable addition was the replica of the Capitoline Wolf, installed in 1938. A statue of Joaquín "Ansina" Lenzina by José Belloni was also placed in the square in 1943, though it was moved to Barrio Sur in 2020. More recently, in 2017, a poignant monument was erected to honor the victims of the civic-military dictatorship. This sculpture features two bronze figures, kneeling, hooded, and with hands bound, symbolizing the oppression faced during the dictatorship era.

Democracy Square serves not only as a traffic junction and meeting place but also as a venue for various events, tributes, demonstrations, and political rallies. The square remains a dynamic and historically rich site, reflecting both the resilience and the complex history of Uruguay.