Plaza de la Merced is the place where Pablo Picasso took his first steps and played as a child. In this busy and romantic square his parents met each other. Who knows, maybe the pigeons which are still occupying the square today, inspired young Pablo for his recurring artistic theme?

This square has been an important part of the city since the Roman era. During the Arab rule, the square fell outside of the city's exterior wall, and was located near the entrance la Puerta de Granada through which Ferdinand and Isabel entered in 1487 upon conquering the city. In the 15th century the square operated as a public market. For this reason, it was previously called Plaza del Mercado (Market Square). In 1507 Mercedarian friars arrived and acquired this plot of land on which they built a church; the plaza then takes its name from the friars order. The temple stood there until 1931. 

Photo: Dguendel