Ferreira Square

Praça do Ferreira is a square located in the Center of the city of Fortaleza , capital of the state of Ceará . It has an area of ​​7,603 square meters. Its name is a reference to the Apothecary Ferreira that in 1871, as president of the Municipality of Fortaleza , made a reform in the area and urbanized the space. After a series of surveys, Praça do Ferreira was officially declared Historical and Patrimonial Landmark of Fortaleza by municipal law 8605 of December 20 , 2001 . In 1839 it was only a field of sand with a great well in the center, that worked until 1920, when the then prefect Godofredo Maciel initiated the reform. 

The place is well known for its clock, which is located in the center of the square. The clock was built in 1933 and was designed by the engineer José Gonsalves da Justa, during the municipal management of Raimundo Girão, in Arte-Decó style. It was popularly known as Hour Column,  but in 1967 it was overthrown. Coming to be built again in 1991, quite different from the first one - it had "Art Dèco" style of cement and stone powder - but also significant. 

In 1920, five artistic kiosks were erected that housed four cafes in each corner of the square. The Java Cafe, being the best known, served as the headquarters for the meetings of the Spiritual Bakery , founded by Antonio Sales . Godofredo Maciel, closed the central well and had the kiosks removed, built a palanque in the open air and the police band performed every Thursday, his symphonies and also built gardens in a renovation in the year 1920 and in 1923 replaced the palanque , on the other covered. 

Around 1945, the square was baptized "Heart of the City". Denomination that persists until today, being well known thus if being the image that best represents Fortaleza . In 2001, Praça do Ferreira was chosen as the city's icon. The choice was the result of a promotion of the "Eleja Fortaleza" campaign, created by Banco Itaú in partnership with the Verdes Mares System

Source: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praça_do_Ferreira