According to legend, British troops were attacking the City in 1797. The siege was almost successful. As a last resort, Bishop Fray Juan Bautista de Zengotita y Bengoa led a procession of women and children around the walled city at night, guided by the light of their torches. Bells were rung and there was much singing. The British, thinking that the ceremony meant that reinforcements were arriving, withdrew from the San Juan Bay the next morning.

The statue of the Bishop and three women represents this procession, later called La Rogativa.Located above the massively fortified walls of Old San Juan, the space is dominated by the antiquity of the area.

Photo by Gil Amiaga

The brick steps were designed to emphasize the movement of the procession, much in the same way as a ship cuts its way through the water. The textures and colors of the surfaces were carefully chosen to blend with the yellow tinted coral of the walls. The Plaza is a dignified corner of the historic district.

Photo by Gil Amiaga

To encourage the communality of the Plaza, benches were placed in such a way as to embrace the space surrounding the sculpture. In the evenings, when everyone spills out onto the coolness of the streets, the Plaza becomes a center of activity for people of all ages.

Photo by Gil Amiaga

To encourage the communality of the Plaza, benches were placed in such a way as to embrace the space surrounding the sculpture. In the evenings, when everyone spills out onto the coolness of the streets, the Plaza becomes a center of activity for people of all ages.

Photo by Gil Amiaga