Ponce City Hall occupies a commanding position at the centre of Plaza las Delicias, physically separating the plaza's two halves and giving the ensemble its formal spine. The building, which dates to the mid-nineteenth century, is a handsome example of colonial civic architecture: thick walls, arched colonnades, and a modest tower that watches over the square below.
The ground floor is open to visitors and contains exhibits on Ponce's history, including the moment in 1898 when American forces took the city without a fight during the Spanish-American War. The mayor's office and council chambers are on the upper floor. Even if you don't enter, the building is worth examining from outside — its central arch frames the view through to the other side of the plaza, and the architectural contrast with the Parque de Bombas directly in front of it is striking.