Plaza de la Independencia, Concepción, Central square in Concepción, Chile

The Plaza de la Independencia is the main square of Concepción, Chile, occupying the block bounded by O'Higgins, Aníbal Pinto, Barros Arana and Caupolicán avenues. At its centre stands a pale grey stone fountain: a wide circular basin surrounds a square pedestal with four seated figures around a fluted column, two dark metal lanterns on curved arms, and a smaller figure beneath a squared capital. The Cathedral of the Most Holy Conception, the University of Concepción Theatre, the Centro Español and the Casino Español face the square.

The square dates from the city's relocation in 1752, after an earthquake and tsunami destroyed the old settlement at Penco, founded by Pedro de Valdivia on 5 October 1550. On 1 January 1818 Bernardo O'Higgins swore Chile's independence before his army here, and the Plaza de Armas was renamed Plaza de la Independencia. In the mid-19th century engineer Pascual Binimelis remodelled it with a central monument cast in Liverpool under Augusto Bleuze, and it was reopened in April 1856.

The plaza is named for the independence declaration that took place here, making it a symbolic center of national identity. The central fountain with the Goddess Ceres statue serves as a gathering point where locals and visitors naturally congregate.

The square is bounded by Avenida O'Higgins, Avenida Aníbal Pinto, Avenida Barros Arana and Avenida Caupolicán, with the Cathedral on its north side. Underground parking built during the 2004–2005 renovation lies beneath the square. The Paseo Peatonal Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga and Bulevar Barros Arana are a few steps away.

The central fountain displays a national shield with a horse instead of a huemul, resulting from the original sculptor's unfamiliarity with Chilean national symbols. This unexpected error becomes a surprising detail that many visitors discover while exploring the square.