The Plaza de la Verdura owes its name to the traditional vegetable, fruit and chestnut market that was held there every morning, except on Sundays and public holidays.

[2] It was the site of the Feira Franca, a tax-free market created by King Henry IV of Castile, but it soon became too small to accommodate it.

In the 15th century, the wall was extended for the third time and another larger square was built for the Feira Franca, the present-day Plaza de la Herrería.

The square was redesigned in 1974 by the State Public Heritage[10] and underwent a thorough reform in 2001 during which its characteristic catalpa trees were cut down[11] and its double stone benches were removed.

[15] On the north side, next to Sarmiento street, there is a cast iron fountain from 1887, decorated with flowers and shells, four fauns with a spout in the mouth and on top a vase with handles and a lid.

On the west side of the square, the first house, at number 5, is that of the archdeacon of the Salnés, Juan Fernández de Sotomayor, and was later the home of the Marist Brothers.

On its ceiling is an imposing painting of a half-naked woman accompanied by a group of angels and floral motifs, which reads Ars cum natura ad salutem conspirans (Art working with nature for health).

[24][25] A scene from the Spanish television series Los gozos y las sombras, starring Eusebio Poncela, was shot in the Eiras Puig pharmacy.

[26] On the west side of the square, on the ground floor of the house of Juan Fernández de Sotomayor, is the tapas bar Os Maristas, reopened in July 2021.