Mendoza's two main attractions are wine and the proximity to fabulous highland scenery and the city itself is a little short on real sights. The downtown was laid out in the 19th century after a major earthquake, and the new urban design included wide, airy avenues and big plazas. The central square, the Plaza Independencia, is the city's nerve centre, with the provincial parliament building and Mendoza's main theatre sitting on opposite sides. The paths and benches attract many locals, while crafts are sold along the eastern edge. Monumental fountains form the centerpiece while their backdrop is a giant Argentine coat of arms formed by small lamps that are lit up to great effect at night. Four satellite squares complement the Plaza – clockwise from the northwest of the Plaza's own northwest corner, set a block away from the central square, are Plaza Chile, Plaza San Martin, Plaza Espana and Plaza Italia, the latter two commemorating the two main sources of European immigration into the Mendoza region. Plaza Espana is decorated with fabulous terracotta and ceramic tiles, while a monument depicts elements of Spanish and Argentine culture, including Don Quixote and gaucho literature, plus female allegories of the old and new worlds. Plaza Italia, where similar statues portray the coming together of Italian and Argentine cultures, comes to life every year during Festa in Piazza (early March), when you can buy crafts and sample food from every Italian region. Plaza San Martin inevitably sports an equestrian statue of the Libertador, while Plaza Chile, named in honor of the Chileans who helped Mendoza recover from its terrible 19th century earthquake, is a haven of peace, shaded by beautiful native trees.
