Plaza de Caicedo

Location:
Centro, Cali, Colombia

City Plaza

By Brenda Yun

Plaza de Caicedo has always been the center of public, commercial and political life in Cali. During the colonial period it was called the Plaza Mayor. Between 1674 and 1897, the park was used for public markets. In 1813, it took the name of Plaza de la Constitución. In 1913, the name was changed to Plaza de Caicedo to honor caleño Joaquin de Caicedo, a martyr of the nation’s independence. This plaza is the best place to people watch during lunchtime. There is a stunning, stark white judicial building on the northern edge of the plaza, as well as a few small fountains around the perimeter and Caicedo’s bronze statue in the center that are worth admiring.