Plaza Aníbal Pinto, Public square in central Valparaíso, Chile.
Plaza Aníbal Pinto is a public square in central Valparaíso with a circular garden and the Neptune Fountain at its center. Neoclassical buildings line the plaza and form a mix of shops, restaurants, and cafes at street level.
The plaza was constructed on reclaimed land after the removal of Peñón del Cabo in 1832, which allowed the development of Esmeralda Street and the El Almendral district. These transformations shaped the character of this part of the city.
The square takes its name from President Aníbal Pinto, who died in 1884 and had lived nearby on Calle del Teatro, today Salvador Donoso. Since a 2014 renovation the surrounding sector has been promoted as the Paseo de los Cafés, and the old Café Riquet building still stands among the surrounding structures.
The plaza serves as a major transportation hub in Valparaíso, connecting multiple city routes. Visitors can easily find numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops that provide refreshment and dining options.
The French brig Eduard Marie sank in 1847 in the water that later became the plaza; a plaque on its north side marks the spot. The Neptune sculpture, cast in iron from a design by Gabriel Vital-Dubray, shows the sea god riding two sea dragons that once spouted water from their mouths. Copies exist elsewhere, including the Neptune Fountain on Cerro Santa Lucía in Santiago.
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