Callao Square

Shaped in 1861,^[2] the square was formally opened in June 1866;^[3] its name remembers the May 1866 battle of Callao between the Spanish naval forces under the command of Casto Méndez Núñez and the Peruvian army.^[3]

The square was substantially and aggressively reformed in the 21st century.^[4] The reform removed nearly all elements present by that time, except the metro station access and a big tree, turning the square into a pedestrian and homogeneous space, while adding a limited number of pieces of urban furniture.^[5] Conversely, big screens were added to the surrounding buildings.^[5] Located in a very commercial area of the city, the pedestrian space is often for rent to companies wanting to carry out advertising events.^[6]

Buildings on the Square include:

• Cine Callao
• El Corte Inglés department store at #2, 9 stories,^[7] part of a multi-building store complex
• Fnac
• La Adriática building at Plaza de Callao #3 (Gran Vía #39)
• Hotel Florida (demolished)

• Piccadilly Circus
• Times Square
• Sankofa Square
• Shibuya