Plaza Mayor

During the expansion of the urban centre of Cretas in the 15th and 16th centuries, the construction of the Plaza Mayor was planned, and from that moment on it became the nerve centre of the town's social life.

The most characteristic element of the square is its magnificent central column, dating from 1584 and moved here in 1962. The circumstances that led to its construction are unknown, although the most likely hypothesis is that it was intended for the building of a town hall that was ultimately never built and which Cretas lacked at that time, as it was administratively dependent on Alcañiz. Originally, and well into the 20th century, this column stood beyond the town walls, near the chapel of San Roque, where it may have been used — though this was not its original purpose — as a pillory for the execution of offenders.

On top of the column stands the town's ancient coat of arms, with symbols that speak of its long history: the cross of the Order of Calatrava, lords of the town since the late 12th century; the paschal lamb, an ecclesiastical symbol possibly associated with the period of lordship of the bishopric of Tortosa; and the Aragonese bars that recall its title of Royal Town. The modern coat of arms bears the same symbolism, but the arrangement is different and it has changed from round to diamond-shaped.

The rest of the square is made up of noble buildings of ashlar masonry, some dating from the 15th century, others from the 16th century — such as the current town hall — and others more recent in their construction.