Praça XV de Novembro, Square in Centro, Florianópolis, Brazil

Praça XV de Novembro, also known as Praça da Figueira, is a square in the Centro district of Florianópolis. It features a garden laid out in the late 19th century, with paths, benches, and a large fig tree at its center, surrounded by historic buildings such as the cathedral and the government palace.

The square marks the site where the town of Nossa Senhora do Desterro was founded in the 17th century. Its garden was laid out between 1885 and 1887, and the square later received its current name in honor of the proclamation of the Brazilian Republic.

At the heart of the square stands a large fig tree, known as the Old Fig Tree, which locals treat as a meeting point and a symbol of the city. People often gather beneath its branches, and the surrounding garden serves as a backdrop for everyday strolls and small events.

The square is easy to reach on foot from nearby streets and is a good starting point for exploring the old center. Benches and shaded spots make it a convenient place to rest while walking around, and it stays accessible throughout the day.

Until the late 1970s, the square ended near the shoreline, serving as a reference point for ships and sailors. The construction of the Aterro da Baía Sul landfill changed the coastline, so the square now sits farther inland than it once did.