Rittenhouse Square, Public park in Center City, Philadelphia, United States.
Rittenhouse Square is a public park in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, stretching across a full city block and surrounded by a mix of 19th- and 20th-century residential buildings. Diagonal walkways lead to a central oval plaza lined with classical urns, wrought-iron benches, and ornamental lamp posts.
The square was laid out in the late 17th century as one of five public spaces in William Penn's city plan and was originally called Southwest Square. During the 19th century it received its current name in honor of astronomer David Rittenhouse, while the grounds were gradually planted with trees and formal pathways were added.
Bronze sculptures by artists such as Antoine-Louis Barye and Paul Manship stand throughout the grounds, freely accessible to anyone walking through. Visitors often touch certain statues, causing their surfaces to develop a different patina over time from the daily contact with passersby.
The grounds are suitable for short walks and rest stops on the many benches scattered under trees or along pathways. Several subway stations and bus lines stop within walking distance, making the park easy to reach from most parts of the city.
The urns and relief figures on the central plaza display Greek motifs that were added in the early 20th century, creating a classical accent in an otherwise informal park setting. Some of the bronze figures show lighter coloring in certain spots due to frequent touching by visitors as they pass by.
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