Praca Benedito Leite

Praca Benedito Leite is a square positioned within the metropolis of Sao Sao Luiz, in Maranhao, in its Historic Center. Praca Benedito Leite has already been known as Largo do Joao Velho, do Velho, Praca da Assembleia and Jardim Publica thirteen de Maio, having been registered by way of IPHAN given that 1955. In 1804, the government of Portugal ordered the execution of a botanical garden on the floor, at the time occupied by using hovels, but the work turned into suspended due to the need for reinforcements within the fortifications of the Province, due to the struggle among France and Portugal.

In 1820, the governor of the province, Bernardo Pinto da Silveira, converted the vintage Largo right into a beautiful lawn that, years later, in 1848, had its first leafy bushes planted by means of Antonio Joaquim Alvares do Amaral, and replanted in 1887 with the aid of Benevuto Augusto de Magalhaes Taques. In 1906, during the authorities of Benedito Leite, the engineer Anisio Palhano de Jesus advanced a landscaping assignment, which indicated the plantation of fig bushes of Benjamin, composing a beautiful lawn with 12 areas, that would be destined to the Panteon Maranhense, with sculptures to honor amazing names of the history of Maranhao, but the mission turned into not completed.