Plaza Grande, officially Plaza de la Independencia, is the historic heart of Quito’s old town, a graceful square surrounded by the cathedral, the presidential palace, the archbishop’s palace and the city hall. Shaded by palms and centred on the independence monument, it is a lively gathering place where locals relax, shoeshiners work and street life unfolds against a backdrop of grand colonial architecture. A perfect starting point for exploring the historic centre and soaking up the atmosphere of the capital, it is the civic and social focal point of old Quito.