Plaza de San Antonio (San Antonio Square), Cadiz

San Antonio Square (Plaza de San Antonio), located in Cadiz, is a significant and historic square that serves as one of the city's nerve centers. Originally called Field of Rockrose (Campo de Jara), it gained its current name in the mid-17th century when the hermitage dedicated to San Antonio was constructed. The well of the same name, which had supplied the city with drinking water for many years, is situated close by.

During the 18th century, the square underwent a significant urban expansion and became a hub for commercial and religious activities, integrating the current Saint John of God Square (Plaza de San Juan de Dios). It is notable for being the site where the Constitution of 1812 was proclaimed and for being the location of the brutal suppression of the liberal movement of 1820.

The buildings that encircle San Antonio Square are of great interest, showcasing an impressive uniformity of proportions, save for the slender façade of the Church of Sant'Antonio. The Casino Gaditano, built in the 18th century, is a Baroque-style building that underwent a renovation in the Elizabethan style in 1857. Its patio and rooms feature rich Neo-Mudejar decorations created by the Sevillian artist Adolfo Lopez Rodriguez in 1890.

Another building of note in the square is the headquarters of the old Aramburu Bank (Banca Aramburu). It has an 18th-century frontispiece in white marble with pillars in the second section, while the façade was modernized in a modernist style by architect Juan Cabrera Latorre in 1910.

The House Museum of the Cádiz writer José María Pemán is another highlight of San Antonio Square. The museum, which now houses temporary exhibitions and displays, is of significant historical interest and attracts a diverse range of visitors.

San Antonio Square is a remarkable place, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history and cultural richness of Cadiz.