Located within Maurice A. Ferré Park in downtown Miami, Florida, Spanish Navy Plaza commemorates an important part of the history of the city and region. Dedicated to the discovery of America by the Spanish Navy, the monument highlights an important legacy that connects the past to the present.
Celebrating the Spanish Discovery of America
The Spanish Navy arrived in the Americas in 1492, establishing a presence that would define the region for hundred of years all the way up to the present. Spanish Navy Plaza was created to connect with the anniversary of this arrival and resides near the mooring site of a Spanish ship that was under the command of Juan Sebastian Elcano in the late 15th century.
Erected in 1991, Spanish Navy Plaza features an oval-shaped concrete perimeter that mimics the layout of a ship. Defined by a huge iron anchor on a raised pedestal, a large globe within the perimeter further cultivates a connection with this history and the cultural impact of this event.
Maurice A. Ferré Park is home to a variety of landmarks and places for audiences to gather, but Spanish Navy Plaza enables audiences to connect with the legacy of the area like few others locations in the city. By providing people with a spot that allows them to experience this legacy as well as the contemporary beauty of the location, the landmark showcases what it means to enable connection across the eras.
A Legacy of Connection
The simple setup and layout of Spanish Navy Plaza has enabled engagement in an area that would otherwise be empty. Providing audiences with numerous ways to interact with the space and the history it represents, Spanish Navy Plaza showcases what it can mean to simply but powerfully celebrate a legacy.