Plaza Muñoz Gamero, Central square in Punta Arenas, Chile.

Plaza Muñoz Gamero is the main square of Punta Arenas, bounded by Bories, Magallanes, Roca, Montt, Nogueira, 21 de Mayo, Fagnano and Waldo Seguel streets. Its centre holds a bronze monument to navigator Hernando de Magallanes, inaugurated in 1920 and funded by the legacy of José Menéndez. Cypress trees planted in 1903 under governor Carlos Bories line the square, framed by neoclassical mansions built between 1891 and 1895 for pioneers such as José Nogueira, Sara Braun and José Menéndez.

Originally called Plaza Esmeralda, the square was renamed in 1875 to honor governor Muñoz Gamero, who died in the Cambiaso Mutiny of 1851. The bronze Magellan monument was erected in 1920 and has anchored the city center since then.

The bronze Magellan monument, inaugurated in 1920, was funded by the bequest of José Menéndez for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the strait and sculpted by Guillermo Córdova. It depicts the navigator and includes a figure of a Selk'nam, the indigenous people of the region. Visitors traditionally touch the foot of this figure for good luck.

The square sits at the heart of Punta Arenas and serves as the main reference point for getting oriented in the city. Its surrounding streets and historic buildings make it easy to walk around and explore the area on foot.

The Magellan monument was funded by the testamentary legacy of José Menéndez for the fourth centenary of the discovery of the strait and awarded by public competition to the Chilean sculptor Guillermo Córdova. The wooden kiosk that once stood at the centre was moved in front of the Casa España to make room for it.