Old Plaza Cervantes
The plaza was originally an open space located north of the Hospital de San Gabriel, hence its old name, Plaza de San Gabriel. In the 19th century, talisay trees were planted in the middle of the plaza.
A fountain and a monument to the printer Tomas Pinpin were also built in the plaza. Plaza de San Gabriel was designated as the hub of the tranvia in the 1880s. It was renamed Plaza Cervantes after the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes.
The plaza was used as a parking space for cars in the early 20th century. All the plants and features in the middle of the plaza were removed in the 1970s and paved over with asphalt.