Plaza del Fontán, Historic square in Oviedo, Spain
Plaza del Fontán is a square in Oviedo with a rectangular layout and four entrances, surrounded by porticoed buildings that house shops and traditional restaurants. The space serves as a market area and offers room for various commercial and social activities.
The square originated from a natural lagoon in the 16th century, which was drained in 1523 due to health concerns. This transformation turned the area into an important trading center in the old city.
The square appears in Ramon Perez de Ayala's novel 'Tigre Juan' as a central setting and holds significance in the city's literary tradition. The porticoed buildings and traditional shops shape its role as a gathering place for locals today.
A market takes place on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, offering fresh flowers, local crafts, and regional products from Asturias. The arcades provide shelter in bad weather, and multiple entrances make it easy to explore the square.
A sculpture in the nearby Plaza Daoiz y Velarde honors traditional market vendors and records centuries of trading activity. This memorial shows how deeply market commerce is rooted in Oviedo's history and identity.
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