MONTEVIDEO

About Montevideo:

The most southern capital of the planet was born when Don Bruno de Zabala built the fortress "San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo" to protect the port in 1724. Liberated from its walls, the city started growing during a period of peace.

Pedro Millan designed the old part of the city "ciudad vieja" in 1726. The metropolitan cathedral, situated in "Plaza Constitucion", dates from the beginning of the XVIII century. It was started by the Portuguese architect Toribio and finished by Bernando Poncini. Across from it is the neoclassic Cabildo (colonial council building). In 1841 Carlos Zucchi started the construction of "Solis" theatre, bit the siege during "Guerra Grande" stopped the construction and was finished by the end of 1874. The building maintained the Italian neoclassic style.

The "Junta Departamental" building was constructed by Pedralbes y Capua and it used to be Fracisco Gomez's private residence.

In "Plaza Zabala" there is a monument erected in his memory by Cullant Valera. Among the remodeled buildings, which are now rented for banks, appears "Palacio Taranco" built by the architects Giraut and Chifflot, today a national museum of art.

The old part of the city still has the gate to the citadel, across from "Plaza Independecia ".

This is the financial district, and running through it is Sarandi Street, only for pedestrians. This street is full of art galleries, museums, remodeled buildings and "Paseo de la Matriz" a well-illuminated area.

The European immigration started in the 19th century, and it was upon Fructuoso Rivera's request that "Villa del Cerro" or "Villa Cosmopolis" was established. Most of the immigrants settled here naming the streets after their countries of origin. It is believed that the capital's name derives from the existence of this "cerro". "Monte vidi eu" (I have seen a hill") uttered by sailors in one of Solis's of Magallanes voyages, or perhaps taken from a maritime logbook. In any case the cerro is a symbol and an important site in the city.

In 1801, the first lighthouse of the River Plate was placed in the "cerro" and then it was substituted by the present in 1907.

The fort was built between 1809 and 1811 by governor Elio and was the scene of many battles. Nowadays it is open to the public as the museum "General Artigas".

From the top, at 140 mts, there is a good view of the city harbor and the isolated island "Isla de las Ratas" (island of the rats) now called "de la libertad" (freedom island).

Montevideo is 2460 square kms and its activity is centralized in the capital. The most important institutions of the republic are located here and it its also the place where the main network of national roads convert.

The city's dynamic pave attracts people from other provinces making this Latin American city the one with the highest percentage of inhabitants versus the total population of the territory. Montevideo has 1.4 million inhabitants.

Montevideo's natural harbor has privileged location, right in the mouth of the River Plate. Warehouses, war and cargo ships, as well as fishing boats are found in this port. Fast ferries sail to and from Buenos Aires in only three hours.

The customs building, art-deco architecture, was built in 1923 and right across from its stands the "Mercado del Puerto" (harbor market). Apparently the glass and iron structure formed part of a dismantled railway station, which the ship was carrying to a port in the Pacific Ocean. It was built in 1868 and it harbors a variety of restaurants, which serve seafood. Barbecue. There are stands which sell crafts, groceries, vegetables, fish, etc.

The typical drink is "medio y medio" (half and half), which is a mixture of white wine and rose wine, a must to be order at old "Roldos" delicatessen.

The city planning has a regular network of streets and wide avenues beautified with green spaces, squares and parks.

18 de Julio is the main street where there are many and various shopping malls, private and public service offices, theatres and cinemas. The architecture from the turn of the century is noted on the front of the buildings, some of them with iron crafted balconies. The "Museo del Gaucho y de la Moneda", a French style building, displays a collection of silver pieces, gaucho ornaments and coins.

Fabini square is an open space worth seeing. In the square, there is a monument called the "entrevero", sculpted by Jose Belloni as a reminder of the people who worked and fought to build up the nation. On one of the corners of the square stands the "London-Paris" building, originally designed for Standard Life Insurance Company, nowadays run by Macdonald's food chain in an effort to maintain traditional old structures.

Further down Avenida 18 de Julio we find "Plaza Cagancha" with a "Columna de la Paz" monument, on top of which there is a bronze statue of Liberty.

Facing the square the grand "Palacio Piria" building, quarters of the "Supreme Court", and just a block from there is "Palacio Santos", today the foreign affairs office building office building.

Montevideo offers a variety of interesting domes and belvederes used in the old days to watch the ships arrive at port.

Other well-know architects dedicated themselves to the building of homes and residences, such as Bello & Reborati, Rabu, Pedralbes, Masquelez, Massue, and Vilamajo.

In 1996 Montevideo was declared "Capital Iberoamericana de la Cultura". It has constantly received and exchanged all different sources of cultural and artistic nourishment. This has been possible thanks to the access to public libraries, museums, galleries of art and concerts. "La Comedia Nacional" (national theatre group) first performed in 1947, strongly supported by Margarita Xirgu. There is a national symphonic orchestra "SODRE", a school of ballet and the national chorus. They also contribute to the popular music such as tango, candombe and folk music. "Carnaval" plays an important part in the community. In the summer time, at night, "Las llamadas" attract many people who go to "Barrio Sur" (south area of town) to dance out in the streets to the rhythm of the "tamboriles" (drums).

Latu, "Laboratorio Tecnologico del Uruguay" (technology laboratory) in Carrasco, is a permanent fair ground for national and international exhibitions.

If good quality of life is measured by personal safety, unpolluted air, and education as well as access to cultural enrichment all developed in a good geographical and architectural environment, Montevideo is undoubtedly, the American capital, which offers it all. Its daily routine can be compared to of any big city.

Montevideo is on its way to become the permanent administrative headquarters of "Mercosur". In the meantime projects for more hotel accommodations as well as convention centers are on the way. In the heart of this town is "Victoria Plaza hotel" which has been remodeled offering large conference rooms.

The intersection of Boulevard Artigas and 18 de Julio Av. overlooks one of the largest public parks of the city. Sometime ago it was known as "Parque Jose Batlle y Ordonez". The French landscape designer Carlos Thays combined many different native species of trees such as tipas, (hardwood tree), banana trees, palm trees eucalypthus etc. The bronze monument "La Carreta" (the wagon) by Jose Belloni was casted in Florence and brought to Uruguay in 1934. Among other points of interest in the park, is the "Velodromo Municipal" (public velodrome), athletics track and shooting range. Further out "Estadio Centenario" (century stadium) with its 70000 seats, which was built to commemorate the constitution act in 1839. It was inaugurated in 1930, site of the world soccer championship, giving the crown to the local team.

On the other side of "Avenida Italia" there is a group of medical buildings, "Hospital de Clinicas" and "Instituto de Higiene".

The "Palacio Municipal", a 24-storey building by architect Mauricio Gravotto, stands in 18 de Julio Avenue. It took thirty years to finish this palace, and throughout the years the original project suffered many changes. The external elevator goes up to the top floor where there is a restaurant that offers an excellent view of the city at night.

In "Palacio Municipal" there is a famous museum, the museum of art, pre-colombian and colonial museum.

The national library is next to the main building of the Republic University and not far from there is "Monumento al Gaucho" by the Uruguayan sculptor Jose L. Zorrilla de San Martin.

18 de Julio Avenue is a busy area during the week, but it changes its pace and looks on Sundays with the "Feria Tristan Narvaja" (open fair) that runs along Tristan Narvaja Street and where all sorts of antique objects are found.

To the north of the city is the architectural treasure called Barrio Reus. One of its characteristics is the small bocks, narrows streets and sidewalks. The two storey houses with the dormer windows were the dwellings of Uruguayan families as well as Italians Spanish and Jews. In 1993, the "Escuela de Bellas Artes" was in charge of the restoration of the front of the houses on Emilio Reus Street.

From the various and different buildings, the "Palacio Legislativo" has an outstanding appearance which is enhanced by its location in the city. The long avenue "del Libertador General Lavalleja" adds splendor to the to this building.

The Italian architect Victor Meano did the project. The architects Vazquez Varela and Banchini then modified the original plans. Finally Cayetano Moretti finished the project. The construction of this building was started in 1906 and it was inaugurated on 25th august 1925. The palace has 3 floors and a basement. The covering of the walls is made of marble and granite taken from Uruguayan stone pits.

Jose Belloni carved the sculptures of the front and the Italian Castigloni those that decorate both chambers. The bronze sculptures that surround the palace symbolize Justice, Law, Science and Work. The vitraux found in the enormous "Salon de los Pasos Perdidos" was made in Italy by Giovanni Bufa.

There are beautiful sculptures by Italian and Uruguayan artists and famous oil paintings by Blanes Viale and Manuel Rose decorating the walls.

At the time seaside resort were not popular, so the people who lived in the heart of the city went out to "El Prado" for relaxation. Designed by the French landscape expert Lasseaux, towards the end of the century, El Prado was turned into a public park. Later on the "Rose Garden" designed by Racine and the Botanical Gardens" were incorporated.

"La Diligencia" (the stagecoach), monument by Jose Belloni and "Los Ultimos Charruas" (the last of the charrua Indians) by Edmundo Pratti and some other sculptures are found throughout the wooded park.

During the Holy Week "El Prado" congregates a variety of events, parades, bonfires, barbecue, and some other activities sponsored by the natural and livestock association. Sometime in mid august the annual livestock show takes place, including a commercial and industrial fair. This important event gathers national and international crowds.

"El Prado" was the most residential neighborhood until mid century magnificent mansions surrounded by lawn and wooded streets stood in a peaceful atmosphere. The well-to-do families of the time then moved to Carrasco, as this was the new fashionable neighborhood, Some of those mansions were turned into museums, embassies and schools.

Sometime around 1915, "Carrasco gates" were opened. Carrasco was at first promoted by Alfredo Arocena as a summer resort. He decorates the "Hotel Casino Carrasco" with many white marble statues. The neighborhood developed and grew with the construction of beautiful private homes.

Punta Carretas Shopping was built in the site of the old prison, keeping its style but at the same time creating a functional and enjoyable atmosphere for shopping and recreation. Thos shopping mall receives a prize awarded by the International Council of Shopping Centers of New York. There are other important shopping malls: Tres Cruces, in the bus terminal; Portones, in Carrasco and Montevideo Shopping Center, the first one.

But this city has much more to offer. Montevideo has a river walk that surrounds the coastline with a number of beaches offering white clean sands and clear waters. Ramirez, Pocitos, Buceo, Malvin, Honda, Verde, Carrasco, Pinamar, just to name some of them.

Well-known clubs are also sited on this coastline. The nautilus yachting club, the Uruguayan yachting club, where the yachts can be moored in the port called "Buceo".

"Parque Rodo" formerly "Parque Urbano" was named after the monument to Rodo, by Belloni.

This green park has an artificial lake overlooking Ramirez beach, two groves, a children playground and various sculptures in white marble by the famous sculptor, Belloni. Montevideo is a lively city at night. It is all there for the asking, good restaurants, excellent music, discos, theatres, cinemas, boites, pubs, pizzerias, peaceful parks and beaches.

There are thee casinos, one in Hotel Carrasco, one in the Victoria Plaza Hotel and other in Parque Hotel.

Montevideo is a peaceful city, but at the same time, full of life, perhaps one of its most outstanding features is its people, friendly, lively and always eager to help.