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Poor Uruguay is sandwiched by two large countries, Brazil and Argentina. It is peaceful, stable, and its capital city, Montevideo, is very pretty – and very European. It would be easy to guess that you were somewhere in Europe as you explore the Old Town.
A free walking tour was on offer here, as it is in most large cities, so we joined the tour and walked around with the friendly guide, Martin, for more than two hours. We got a history lesson and loads of tips as to the best places to visit in the city, as well as where to dine. But we were only there for a day on a cruise, so our visit was just to catch an overview of the city. Like other South American cities, the city is filled with tango dinner shows and even has a tango museum. Carnaval is also very popular here, and the festivities last longer than in any other city in the world.
A visit to the Port Market was very interesting, as it is known for restaurants with huge parrilla (barbecue) grills. Located across from the port, originally all of the city’s trading and sale of fruits and vegetables took place here. The steel and glass construction, which you can see in the photos, was made in Liverpool, England, and shipped here. It was beautiful to see, but it was quite crowded with both locals and visitors. There were at least three cruise ships in port that day. We will be returning to Montevideo in a few weeks on another cruise, so we will get to see more of this vibrant city.
Plaza de la Constitucion (Matriz), in the Old City, is delightful, full of trees, benches, and this lovely fountain.
However, the fountain engravers have never been in a Spelling Bee, that’s for sure. What our guide told us is that Italian engineers built the structure and there are two or three spelling errors that were influenced by Italian. So it is not in Spanglish, but Italish.
The Cathedral is on this plaza. We went in to look around just after Mass, and we are glad we did, as five minutes later the doors were locked.
A famous and pretty mural from 2003 by Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Vilaro, whose claim to fame is that his son was one of the survivors of the 1972 rugby team plane crash in the Andes, known as the Miracle of the Andes. The story is featured in Netflix’s new movie, Society of the Snow. We both read the book and saw the movie “Alive,” made many years ago, as well as the new one. We would recommend all of them.
A corner residential building that looks like it would be at home in Barcelona.
A pedestrian walkway. The art museum was displaying famous works that it has available.
On the pedestrian path is the “Uruguayan Walk of Fame,” supposedly celebrating famous Uruguayans. We were surprised by the Rolling Stones plaque, along with many Uruguayans that we had never heard of. It appears that the Stones played a concert here once. Nelson Mandela’s name is also here, though he never made it to Uruguay. Our guide said one of the city employees responsible for choosing the names was on his tour one time, but couldn’t explain why the Stones and Mandela were considered famous Uruguayans. We guess he just chose them because he liked them.As is often said, “Close enough for government work.”
Some animal artwork made of pieces of junk, an art form we have seen in several places.
The Citadel Gate in the Plaza de Independencia. The Old City used to be walled, and the tiny part of the original gate is at the top of this cinder block preservation construction.
This pretty art deco building on the Plaza, the Salvo Palace, was built in 1928. Its twin, the Barolo Palace, was built in Buenos Aires a few years earlier. As the two cities are only about 120 miles apart, the plan was to create a “bridge of light” over the Rio de La Plata from the lighthouses located in the domes of both buildings. It never happened….because the architect did not account for the curvature of the earth!!!
Teatro Solis, the Sun Theater, hosts all of the city’s cultural events and is most beloved by the residents. But legend has it that the theater was named after a Spanish soldier who was killed and eaten – they even teach that in school!
The sun, which has become a symbol of the city, has a face that has been called neither happy nor sad – more “Mona Lisa.”
Some colorful Mardi Gras figurines for sale – a cool $120 US each!
The glorious Puro Verso Bookstore, built in 1917.
A Welcome Wheel in different languages.
The Mercado del Puerto, or the Port Market, was quite busy. It was hard to move through the crowds.
Coca Cola signs were everywhere in the market, most of them “vintage.”
The market has been open for about 125 years. You can see the glass and wrought iron ceiling here. It was originally built as a railroad station.
In Montevideo is this ship graveyard, with several dozen ships purposely abandoned due to debts or liens. It is startling to see outside a world capital.The city keeps making plans to get rid of them, but, you know…government.
Peter Paul Rubens would just adore these fleshy women.
We don’t know what these two signify, but it seems an apt way to say Adios (for now) to Montevideo.
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