Plaza Libertad (formerly known as Plaza Alfonso XII) is one of the 6 beautifully landscaped plazas in Iloilo. Plazas can be found in each of the districts of Iloilo City, a clear manifestation of the strong Spanish influence in this city. Plaza Libertad on the other hand is located right at the heart of the city, at the far end of the historic Calle Real. It served as the leisure ground in the past for the residents of downtown Iloilo and later declared a National Historical Institute site in 1996 as recognition for its contribution to the Philippine History and freedom.
The flag of the First Philippine Republic was raised in Plaza Libertad in triumph after Spain surrendered Iloilo, her last Capital in the islands to the revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado on December 25, 1898.
Standing right beside Plaza Libertad is the Iloilo City Hall, which was demolished recently to give way for a brand new building for the City Government. On the other side of the plaza is the seat of Santo Nino in which the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is anchored, the San Jose Parish Church. Surrounding the plaza includes banks, government offices, ancestral houses and the iconic Iloilo Masonic Temple Building – located in direct opposite of the Catholic Church.
A Rizal Monument stands at the center of Plaza Libertad and is just one of the monuments dedicated for this Hero here in the city.
The Iloilo Masonic Temple Building in Plaza Libertad
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