[1] Originally an open green field lined with benches in colonial times, today the plaza is paved, with a size of 2,227 square meters (23,970 sq ft) and a capacity of 6,681 persons.

[1] Flanked by paved roads, the central portion of the plaza resembles 19th century garden design with its plants such as bandera española (canna) flowers and palm trees.

[2] At the end of the plaza stands the Sigaw ng Tondo, a monument sculpted in 1978 by Eduardo Castrillo in memory of local victims fleeing Japanese forces during the Battle of Manila in 1945.

[4][5] Several years later, the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) was established on November 7, 1930, at a public rally held at the plaza,[6] attended by six thousand people.

[7] Currently, Plaza Moriones is designated as one of five freedom parks in the City of Manila, where protests and rallies may be held without requiring permission from local authorities.