2002
Montevideo
Plaza Independencia
The Plaza Independencia is home to the Mausoleo de Artigas,
topped by a 17-meter, 30-ton statue of the country's
independence hero, José Gervasio Artigas. In the background is the
Baroque-style, 26-storey Palacio Salvo which
was the city's tallest building when it opened in 1927, and remained so until
recently. From here, in 1939, British
agents spied on the German destroyer Graf Spee, then at anchor in the
harbor, but later scuttled by its captain.
Palacio Taranco
The Palacio Taranco was built in 1910 in an 18th-century
European style by French architects
commissioned by a wealthy merchant, and now houses the Museo de Arte Decorativo.
Mercado del Puerto
At its opening in 1868, Montevideo's port was the continent's finest. Nowadays the old port market building houses several parrillas.
Colonia del Sacramento
Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese Manoel Lobo, Colonia
occupied a strategic position almost exactly opposite Buenos Aires across the
Río
de la Plata, but its major importance was once as a source of contraband,
undercutting Spain's jealously defended mercantile trade monopoly
Faro
The faro or lighthouse dates from the 19th century.
Posada San Gabriel
Colonia is home to many attractive posadas...
Drugstore
...and restaurants.