Montevideo
principal city and capital of Uruguay. It lies on the north shore of the Río de la Plata estuary. Montevideo was founded in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, governor of Buenos Aires, to counteract the Portuguese advance into the area from Brazil. During its early years, Montevideo was mostly a Spanish garrison town. Trade expanded toward the end of the colonial period, and Montevideo’s merchants played an important part in securing Uruguayan independence. From 1807 to 1830 Montevideo was alternately occupied by British, Spanish, Argentine, Portuguese, and Brazilian forces, and its trade and population declined. Independence, which came in 1830, did not bring stability. Uruguay was the scene of complicated interaction of local, Argentine, and Brazilian influences that culminated in the nine-year siege of Montevideo by a combined Argentine-Uruguayan army from 1843 to 1851. Montevideo’s defenders were assisted by French and English forces that blockaded Buenos Aires. Unexpectedly, Montevideo flourished during the siege and became the major port of the Río de la Plata. The port of Montevideo handles most of Uruguay’s foreign trade. The chief exports are wool, meat, and hides. Source: www.britannica.com
principal city and capital of Uruguay. It lies on the north shore of the Río de la Plata estuary. Montevideo was founded in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, governor of Buenos Aires, to counteract the Portuguese advance into the area from Brazil. During its early years, Montevideo was mostly a Spanish garrison town. Trade expanded toward the end of the colonial period, and Montevideo’s merchants played an important part in securing Uruguayan independence. From 1807 to 1830 Montevideo was alternately occupied by British, Spanish, Argentine, Portuguese, and Brazilian forces, and its trade and population declined. Independence, which came in 1830, did not bring stability. Uruguay was the scene of complicated interaction of local, Argentine, and Brazilian influences that culminated in the nine-year siege of Montevideo by a combined Argentine-Uruguayan army from 1843 to 1851. Montevideo’s defenders were assisted by French and English forces that blockaded Buenos Aires. Unexpectedly, Montevideo flourished during the siege and became the major port of the Río de la Plata. The port of Montevideo handles most of Uruguay’s foreign trade. The chief exports are wool, meat, and hides. Source: www.britannica.com
Metropolitan Cathedral
is the main Catholic church in the Uruguayan capital. Also known as the Iglesia Matriz (ie Mother Church, thus giving a second name to the square located in front of the church), the building has its roots in the colonial period, namely in 1740, when it was built a brick church on the site now occupied by the cathedral, and later, in 1790, was laid the first stone to start building the new building in neoclassical style. Consecrated in 1804, (when the country gained its independence), the church was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan Cathedral by Pope Leo XIII in 1897. In 1975 has been proclaimed as a National Historic Landmark: very ornamental with the interior and a beautiful and harmonious architectural structure, the church today is not only a must for lovers of architecture, but also for those who love history and culture, it is precisely here that have taken place historical events of great importance as the blessing of the flag and the swearing of the first constitution. Source: www.globeholidays.net
is the main Catholic church in the Uruguayan capital. Also known as the Iglesia Matriz (ie Mother Church, thus giving a second name to the square located in front of the church), the building has its roots in the colonial period, namely in 1740, when it was built a brick church on the site now occupied by the cathedral, and later, in 1790, was laid the first stone to start building the new building in neoclassical style. Consecrated in 1804, (when the country gained its independence), the church was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan Cathedral by Pope Leo XIII in 1897. In 1975 has been proclaimed as a National Historic Landmark: very ornamental with the interior and a beautiful and harmonious architectural structure, the church today is not only a must for lovers of architecture, but also for those who love history and culture, it is precisely here that have taken place historical events of great importance as the blessing of the flag and the swearing of the first constitution. Source: www.globeholidays.net
Heber Jackson Palace - Museo del Gaucho
This three-storey palace is an exceptional example of the historical-architectural heritage of the city. Originally built as a single-family home and business, today it houses a banking institution and the museums of the Gaucho -protagonist of our mother country- and the Moneda, as well as temporary art exhibitions. The Gaucho Museum and the Museo de la Moneda –the Mint Museum- share an ornate “palace” on Montevideo’s central avenue. The extravagant French and Italian-style building built in 1896 is reason alone to visit. The Gaucho Museum hosts a stunning collection of horse gear, silver and gold spurs, broad gaucho belts, mate gourds (the ritual drink in this part of the world) and tobacco-smoking equipment. Many items are around 150 years old. Source: http://montevideoantiguo.net www.guruguay.com
This three-storey palace is an exceptional example of the historical-architectural heritage of the city. Originally built as a single-family home and business, today it houses a banking institution and the museums of the Gaucho -protagonist of our mother country- and the Moneda, as well as temporary art exhibitions. The Gaucho Museum and the Museo de la Moneda –the Mint Museum- share an ornate “palace” on Montevideo’s central avenue. The extravagant French and Italian-style building built in 1896 is reason alone to visit. The Gaucho Museum hosts a stunning collection of horse gear, silver and gold spurs, broad gaucho belts, mate gourds (the ritual drink in this part of the world) and tobacco-smoking equipment. Many items are around 150 years old. Source: http://montevideoantiguo.net www.guruguay.com
Teatro Solís
A striking neoclassical masterpiece on the edge of Montevideo’s old town, Teatro Solís is the heart and soul of the city’s performing arts scene. A glance into the past reveals a history fraught with obstruction and opposition, that threatened the theatre’s very existence. What stands today is the product of Uruguay’s unfailing dedication to theatre and artistic expression. In 1840, an idea formed in the minds of well-to-do locals for a theatre that would emulate the majesty of Italy’s most celebrated structures. In the early 19th century, Montevideo’s middle class was keen to push its social and political agenda, which included the creation of a place to see and be seen. There was no theatre in South America that could rival those of Europe and the city was feeling this absence. So Teatro Solís was born. Construction was halted in the mid-1840s by Uruguay’s Great War. Precious materials, like Siberian timber and Italian marble brought over from Europe, were kept under lock and key, while civil war ravaged the country. Even after the fighting was resolved, the theatre still stood half-built thanks to disagreements over its design; the project was passed from the theatre’s visionary Carlo Zucchi into the hands of Spanish architect Francisco de Garmendia. It was only in the early 1850s that building work picked back up and the majestic facade was finally finished. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
A striking neoclassical masterpiece on the edge of Montevideo’s old town, Teatro Solís is the heart and soul of the city’s performing arts scene. A glance into the past reveals a history fraught with obstruction and opposition, that threatened the theatre’s very existence. What stands today is the product of Uruguay’s unfailing dedication to theatre and artistic expression. In 1840, an idea formed in the minds of well-to-do locals for a theatre that would emulate the majesty of Italy’s most celebrated structures. In the early 19th century, Montevideo’s middle class was keen to push its social and political agenda, which included the creation of a place to see and be seen. There was no theatre in South America that could rival those of Europe and the city was feeling this absence. So Teatro Solís was born. Construction was halted in the mid-1840s by Uruguay’s Great War. Precious materials, like Siberian timber and Italian marble brought over from Europe, were kept under lock and key, while civil war ravaged the country. Even after the fighting was resolved, the theatre still stood half-built thanks to disagreements over its design; the project was passed from the theatre’s visionary Carlo Zucchi into the hands of Spanish architect Francisco de Garmendia. It was only in the early 1850s that building work picked back up and the majestic facade was finally finished. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
Casa de Fructuoso Rivera – National History Museum
It was the home of General Fructuoso Rivera from 1834 to 1849 and is a National Historic Monument since 1975. The house allows a journey through the history of the Banda, Province and Eastern State from a perspective that prioritizes political history until the revolution of 1904. The story is articulated through a set of objects that belonged to different personalities and an important art gallery on historical themes. Source: www.museohistorico.gub.uy
It was the home of General Fructuoso Rivera from 1834 to 1849 and is a National Historic Monument since 1975. The house allows a journey through the history of the Banda, Province and Eastern State from a perspective that prioritizes political history until the revolution of 1904. The story is articulated through a set of objects that belonged to different personalities and an important art gallery on historical themes. Source: www.museohistorico.gub.uy
Casa de Antonio Montero - Museo Romantico
Built in 1831 by José Toribio, for the wealthy merchant Antonio Montero, the house has a neoclassical facade and is structured on two levels around a large open courtyard, to which the rooms are turned. Also known as Romantic Museum, this house currently has a permanent exhibition that covers paintings, clothing and furniture of the romantic period. Source: www.mec.gub.uy
Built in 1831 by José Toribio, for the wealthy merchant Antonio Montero, the house has a neoclassical facade and is structured on two levels around a large open courtyard, to which the rooms are turned. Also known as Romantic Museum, this house currently has a permanent exhibition that covers paintings, clothing and furniture of the romantic period. Source: www.mec.gub.uy
Palacio Taranco - Museum Of Decorative Arts
erected in the early 20th century during a period in which the architectural style was influenced by French architecture. It was designed by French architects Charles Louis Girault and Jules Chifflot León, who also designed the Petit Palais and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This building contains European furniture and drapings and currently contains the Museum of Decorative Arts in Montevideo. The palace is often used as a meeting place by the Uruguayan government. The palace was erected on the site of Montevideo's first theatre in the historical centre of the city which had been built in 1793. The Taranco Ortiz family commissioned the construction of the building in 1907 and it was completed in 1910. Source: https://travel.sygic.com
erected in the early 20th century during a period in which the architectural style was influenced by French architecture. It was designed by French architects Charles Louis Girault and Jules Chifflot León, who also designed the Petit Palais and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This building contains European furniture and drapings and currently contains the Museum of Decorative Arts in Montevideo. The palace is often used as a meeting place by the Uruguayan government. The palace was erected on the site of Montevideo's first theatre in the historical centre of the city which had been built in 1793. The Taranco Ortiz family commissioned the construction of the building in 1907 and it was completed in 1910. Source: https://travel.sygic.com
Figari Museum
conservation, research and communication of the patrimony constituted by the work of Pedro Figari (Montevideo, 1861-1938) as a tangible testimony of the artist's work, for the purposes of study, education and recreation, contributing to the greater knowledge of his work in each of his many facets: as a plastic artist, lawyer, journalist, politician, pedagogue, philosopher and writer. Source: www.museos.gub.uy
conservation, research and communication of the patrimony constituted by the work of Pedro Figari (Montevideo, 1861-1938) as a tangible testimony of the artist's work, for the purposes of study, education and recreation, contributing to the greater knowledge of his work in each of his many facets: as a plastic artist, lawyer, journalist, politician, pedagogue, philosopher and writer. Source: www.museos.gub.uy
Museo de Arte Precolombino e Indígena
San Francisco del Puerto Church