Plaza de la Merced (Merced Square), Malaga (must see)

Merced Square is a part of the neighborhood of La Merced in Malaga. In August of 1487 the formal surrender of the city by the Moors took place in this square. The procession was led by Bishop Pedro de Toledo. There were the Catholic Monarchs, knights, nobility, and freed Christian captives. It was quite a party.

In 1507 the Mercedarian Friars arrived at the Square. They built a church and a large convent. It was the mission of the Mercedarians to free Christians slaves from captivity. The square is outside of the old Moorish city walls. It is a true square, laid down by Roman builders, not formed by a simple confluence of streets.

In the center of the square is the Monument to Torrijos, erected in the 19th century. Rafael Mitjana designed the monument to memorialize General Jose Maria Torrijos and 48 of his followers who were executed by order of Ferdinand VII. The base of the monument houses the remains of General Torrijos and his men.

There is a statue of Pablo Picasso in the square. He is sitting on a bench with his notebook and pencil. He sits to one side, leaving plenty of room for anyone who would like to sit next to him. The house Picasso was born in is Number 15 of the Plaza. It is now a museum and the office of the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation.

Why You Should Visit:
Very pretty square wherein you can get a good look at and sit next to Picasso himself for a photo opportunity.
The understated element is its proximity to a range of bars & restaurants that bedeck the area immediately surrounding.