Wheat Square

Organized in the 16th century, it was the most important square of the town, the Plaza par excellence, where the town hall was located (until its transfer to its current location in the 18th century), the jail and later, the granary. It was here that the orders of the Town Hall had to be announced to take effect and here the weekly markets and public shows were held (theatrical performances and bullfights, above all). It is dominated by the imposing mass of the Church of San Juan del Mercado (in allusion to one of the functions of the Plaza) and in it you can see what was the house of the ecclesiastical Chapter, on columns topped by the double-headed eagle of Charles V and the keys of St. Peter. The harmony of its buildings, topped by beautiful eaves, and its airy arcades make it one of the most beautiful in Castile. Although officially it was simply the Plaza, it has also been known as Plaza del Trigo y del Mercado and, in the 20th century, Plaza de Don Bruno Pascual Ruilópez. For the people of Atenco, however, it was, has been and will be the Plaza de Arriba.