Plaza del Mentidero

Mentidero square is a small square in Cádiz, and is now well known for its close links with the Carnival celebrations.

It has an elongated triangular layout, and is the central axis of a neighbourhood that came into existence in 1755, to complete the city between the barracks of Carlos III and Plaza de San Antonio. A humilladero cross was placed in this square by the Brotherhood of the Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración, and later came to be known as the Cruz de la Verdad (cross of truth). This is perhaps an ironic name, given that this was where people with nothing to do would get together to spread all kinds of rumours and lies. Hence it went on to be known as Plaza de la Cruz de las Mentiras (square of the cross of lies)