Saint John of God Square (Plaza de San Juan de Dios) and Old Town Hall, Cadiz

Saint John of God Square (La Plaza de San Juan de Dios), the primary square in Cadiz, is also called Corredera Square (Plaza de la Corredera). The ancient port of Cadiz was situated on islands just outside the inner harbor. As in so many other medieval cities, the square was established outside the city walls. Access was through the sea-facing gate, today the "Arch of the People."

The square was constructed in the 15th century, partly on land reclaimed from the sea. The walls of the city facing the sea were demolished in 1906, and the area of the square was enlarged. In the 18th century, the Consistorial Houses built in the previous century were demolished to make way for the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall).

The "Isabelline" Gothic facade of the Town Hall was added in 1865 by architect Manuel Garcia del Alamo. The pediment of the facade holds a bas-relief of the god Hercules, the reputed founder of Cadiz, which was then called Gadeira. The town is old, even by European standards. It was old when Hannibal came to visit in the Second Punic War.