Interesting monuments, historic buildings and people-watching make Plaza Zaragoza one of Monterrey’s most popular public squares. It’s also an ideal starting point for visiting some of the city’s finest museums. Find this plaza in the southernmost area of Monterrey’s Macroplaza, a huge urban square with gardens, landmark buildings and monuments.
At the heart of the square is the equestrian statue, Estatua Ignacio Zaragoza. It pays homage to Ignacio Zaragoza, a former Mexican general famed for leading the defeat of French invaders at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Investigate the modern Palacio Municipal de Monterrey (Monterrey City Hall), which overlooks the square. Its central courtyard is home to Julio Carrasco’s Monterrey 2000, a mural that depicts the history of Monterrey and the state of Nuevo León.
Visit the magnificent Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey (Monterrey Metropolitan Cathedral), which faces the plaza’s west side. Admire the cathedral’s 18th-century Baroque façade and then step inside to discover art from the colonial years to the 19th century. Most notable are the frescoes by Ángel Zárraga.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit two excellent nearby museums. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey (Monterrey Museum of Contemporary Art). Find exhibitions of contemporary art by national and international artists. Featured well-known artists include Frida Kahlo and David Alfaro Siquieros. Learn about regional history at the Museo Metropolitana de Monterrey (Metropolitan Museum of Monterrey). It’s housed in an elegant colonial-era building that was once Monterrey’s City Hall.
The plaza sits in the heart of downtown Monterrey and is served by public buses and the metro. Estación Zaragoza, the closest metro station, is about a 5-minute walk away. If arriving by car, park in the metered car park next to the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey.
The cathedral in Plaza Zaragoza is open daily. Visit the official websites for the museums in the plaza for details of the opening times, admission fees and guided tours.
