Macroplaza

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The Macroplaza was built in the early 1980s during the governorship of Alfonso Martínez Domínguez. The construction of the Macroplaza required the demolition of several old buildings and houses including a famous movie theater.

The Macroplaza is the second biggest plaza in the world; it has an extension of 400,000 square meters consisting of various monuments, smaller plazas and gardens.

One of the most iconic monuments of the city is the Faro del Comercio (Lighthouse of Commerce), a 70 meters tall modern lighthouse located in the same plaza, equipped with a green laser, that shot its light around the city at nights.

Landmarks of the Macroplaza

The Macroplaza features the following monuments, buildings and pedestrian zones:

*"Palacio de Gobierno", a neoclassical construction where the office of the governor is located.
*"Faro del Comercio", a modern monument designed by architect Luis Barragán. At nights it shoots a green laser around the city.
*"Explanada de los Heroes", a 19,400 square meters explanade located in front of the "Palacio de Gobierno".
*"Jardín Hundido" (aka "Parque Hundido"), an almost hidden garden located in the heart of the Macroplaza featuring various monuments and a fountain. A Speakers' Corner, similar to that located in London's Hyde Park, is located in the "Jardín Hundido".
*"Teatro de la Ciudad".
*"Biblioteca Fray Servando Teresa de Mier", a public library.
*"Fuente de Neptuno" (aka "Fuente de la Vida"), a bronce fountain representing the roman god Neptune.
*"Capilla de los Dulces Nombres", a XIX century roman catholic chapel.
*"Plaza Zaragoza", the old city plaza located between the Cathedral and the original city hall building (Currently the "Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey").
*Monterrey City Hall (aka el "Palacio de Cristal"), the headquarters of the Mayor of Monterrey.
*"Homenaje al Sol", a monument designed by Rufino Tamayo located at the southernmost point of the Macroplaza.

The Macroplaza is surrounded by many buildings such as the Cathedral of Monterrey, the Latino tower ("Edificio Latino"), the Museum of Contemporary Art of Monterrey (MARCO), the Acero tower ("Edificio Acero"), The Metropolitan Museum ("Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey) and the Museum of Mexican History but none of them are part of the Macroplaza.

Other nearby attractions

Other attractions within walking distance of the Macroplaza include the Morelos pedestrian street to the west, the "Plaza de los 400 años", the Santa Lucia Riverwalk to the east as well as the Barrio Antiguo.

Transportation

The Macroplaza is accessible via Monterrey Metro, with the Zaragoza station located in the center of the Macroplaza, near the "Fuente de Neptuno".

The Macroplaza also includes a parking lot area.

ee also

*List of city squares