On the south side of the majestic square is located the monument dedicated to one of the most illustrious figures in the history of A Coruña, the heroine María Pita. The statue, inaugurated on 15th May 1998 to commemorate the 410th anniversary of the siege of the city by the corsair Sir Francis Drake, was made by the sculptor José Castiñeiras Iglesias, inspired by a never executed 1890´s project by José González y Giménez.
The sculpture represents one of the greatest moments of the defence of the city, with the figure of María Pita menacingly holding the spear with which she has just killed the English lieutenant, while holding the arm of a soldier who had fallen in battle. The sculpture measures 3.30 metres in height, is made of bronze and sits on a stone pedestal in which there are four reliefs, which are also bronze, illustrating the story of the British siege and the defence of the city walls led by María Pita in May 1589. At the foot of the pedestal, a burning cauldron symbolises keeping the flame of freedom burning.