Sights in Montevideo
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Plaza Independencia
Plaza Independencia is at the heart of Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja (old city). This broad square, lined with palms, is dominated by a huge statue of José Artigas, Uruguay's greatest hero. You can pay your respects to Artigas at his underground tomb beneath the statue.
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Mausoleo de Artigas
In the middle of the downtown Plaza Independencia is the Mausoleo de Artigas, whose aboveground portion is a 17m, 30-ton statue of the country's independence hero. Below street level an honor guard keeps 24-hour vigil over Artigas' remains.
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Casa Garibaldi
Casa Garibaldi is where Guiseppe Garibaldi once lived. The 19th-century Italian nationalist hero spent years of exile in Montevideo following a revolt against the monarchy. Not a bad place to go into hiding, really.
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Palacio Salvo
On the east side of the Plaza Independencia, the 26-story structure with the crazy beehive hairdo is Palacio Salvo, the continent's tallest building when it opened in 1927.
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Puerta de la Ciudadela
At the west end of the Plaza Independencia is the Puerta de la Ciudadela, a stone gateway that is one of the only remnants of the colonial citadel demolished in 1833.
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Iglesia Matriz
Opposite the Cabildo on Plaza Constitución is the Iglesia Matriz, Montevideo's oldest public building. It was begun in 1784 and completed in 1799.
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Yacht Harbor
The Yacht Harbor in Buceo, just east of Pocitos beach, is a picturesque spot for a stroll and a popular Sunday afternoon hangout.
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Palacio Estévez
The 18th-century Palacio Estévez, on the south side of the Plaza Independencia, was the Government House until 1985.
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Torre Antel
For great views out across the city, take the elevator to the top of Montevideo’s most dramatic modern skyscraper.
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Teatro Solís
Just off Plaza Independencia, elegant Teatro Solís is Montevideo’s premier performance space. First opened in 1856, and completely renovated during the past decade, it has superb acoustics. Regularly scheduled tours (Tuesday through Sunday) provide an opportunity to see the actual performance space without attending a show. Spanish-language tours are free on Wednesdays, UR$20 other days; English- and Portuguese-language tours cost UR$40.
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Plaza Constitución
Also known as Plaza Matriz, this was the heart of colonial Montevideo. On its east side stands the Cabildo (finished in 1812), a neoclassical stone structure that contains the Museo y Archivo Histórico Municipal. Opposite the Cabildo is the Iglesia Matriz, Montevideo’s oldest public building. It was begun in 1784 and completed in 1799.
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Palacio Legislativo
Dating from 1908, and still playing host to Uruguay’s Asamblea General (legislative branch), the 3-story neoclassical is also open for guided tours (UR$60) at 10:30am and 3pm Monday to Friday.
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Museo y Archivo Histórico Municipal
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Museo Torres García
This museum showcases the work of 20th-century Uruguayan painter Torres García, and has revolving exhibitions featuring other contemporary artists.
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Museo Naval
Along the eastern waterfront in Buceo, this museum traces the role of boats and ships in Uruguayan history, from the indigenous Charrúa’s canoe culture to the dramatic sinking of the German Graf Spee offshore of Montevideo in 1939.
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Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales
Uruguay’s largest collection of paintings is housed here in Parque Rodó. The large rooms are graced with works by Blanes, Cúneo, Figari and Torres García.
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Museo Histórico Nacional
The centerpiece of Uruguay’s National Historical Museum is Casa Rivera, the former home of Uruguay’s first president and founder of the Colorado Party, Fructuoso Rivera. The collection of paintings, documents, furniture and artifacts traces Uruguayan history from indigenous roots through to independence.
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Museo Figari
Ciudad Vieja’s newest museum is devoted to Uruguayan painter Pedro Figari, whose landscapes and portraits masterfully convey a sense of Uruguayan life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Museo del Gaucho y de la Moneda
Housed in the ornate Palacio Heber, this museum eloquently conveys the deep attachments between the gauchos, their animals and the land. The superb collection of historical artifacts includes horse gear, silver work, and mates and bombillas (metal straws with filters, used for drinking mate) in whimsical designs. Downstairs exhibits focus on banknotes, coins, and the Uruguayan economy’s volatile history.
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Museo del Fútbol
A must-see for any soccer fan, this museum displays memorabilia from Uruguay’s 1930 and 1950 World Cup wins. Visitors can also tour the stands.
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Museo del Carnaval
This museum houses a wonderful collection of costumes, drums, masks, recordings and photos documenting the 100-plus-year history of Montevideo’s Carnaval. Behind the museum is the Carnaval- themed restaurant Tras Bambalinas and bleachers where spectators can view performances during the summer months.
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Museo del Automóvil
The Automóvil Club del Uruguay’s museum has a superb collection of vintage cars, including a mint 1910 Hupmobile.
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Museo de la Historia del Arte
In the basement of Montevideo’s Palacio Municipal (town hall, also known as Intendencia), MuHAr features a wide-ranging collection of art – originals and reproductions of famous pieces – from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, Rome and numerous Native American cultures.
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Museo de Artes Decorativas
The Palacio Taranco, a wealthy merchant’s residence dating from 1910, is now home to this museum. The palatial building, designed by famous French architects Charles Girault and Jules Chifflot, is filled with ornate period furnishings, many brought over from Europe.
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Museo de Arte Precolombino e Indígena
This museum displays a permanent collection of artifacts and information about Uruguay’s earliest inhabitants, along with rotating exhibits focused on native peoples of the Americas.
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