Also known as Park Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, a name the square adopted shortly after the wars of independence from Spain ended in remembrance of one of the most important leaders of the independence movement during the libertarian campaign. Indeed, inside the park one can sight a small monument erected in 1981 dedicated to the Cuban independence leader.
The square or park is one of the oldest in the city of Holguín that is popularly known as The City of Parks on account of the large amount of areas of this nature present in its layout.
The plaza had since the XVIII century been associated to religion, initially due to the presence of a little shrine raised on the site by the order of the Franciscans, and as from 1809 by the existence of the church of San José giving it the name mostly used by the people of Holguín.