Plazoleta Gay

Plazoleta Gay is a small triangular heritage plaza in the City Proper district of Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, Philippines. Located at the busy intersection of J.M. Basa, Ledesma and Iznart Streets, it serves as the city's Kilometer Zero. The plaza features a monument to Jose Rizal erected in 1911 and is named after Francisco Gay. It is a historic landmark and orientation point for visitors exploring Calle Real and downtown Iloilo.

Visitors can expect a small, triangular paved plaza at a major downtown intersection, centered on a monument to Jose Rizal with a Kilometer Zero marker. The space has benches, lamp posts, and limited shade, surrounded by heritage commercial buildings, shops, and busy streets. It is an open, street-level stop typically viewed briefly as part of a walking tour of City Proper and Calle Real, suitable for photos and orientation.

Plazoleta Gay was established during the early American colonial period and named after Francisco Gay, a Spanish businessman and former vice-consul. The Jose Rizal monument at its center was unveiled in 1911, making it one of the first Rizal monuments erected outside Luzon. The plaza was designated as Kilometer Zero of Iloilo City, the reference point for measuring distances to other parts of Panay.

The plaza serves as a civic landmark and orientation point in downtown Iloilo and is part of the City Proper heritage area. It commemorates national hero Jose Rizal and reflects Iloilo City's commercial and cultural history centered on Calle Real. It is commonly included in heritage walking tours of Iloilo City Proper.