[2][3] It is surrounded by several notable buildings such as the Palacio Piria, seat of the Supreme Court, and the Ateneo de Montevideo.

The bronze statue has in its right hand a Roman gladius, which was replaced in 1889 by chains with a broken ring and link, symbolizing freedom.

On the south side, in the Human Rights Passage, stands the Palacio Piria, headquarters of the Supreme Court.

It was demolished in 1979, and currently a modern office building stands in its place, with commercial premises on the ground floor on 18 de Julio Avenue.

[13] On the north side of the square stands the Sorocabana Building, whose ground floor housed a popular café of the same name for several decades,[14] as well as the Cine Teatro Plaza, the Ateneo de Montevideo, the José Pedro Varela Pedagogical Museum and the Circular Theater.