The Palacio Salvo, the ornate building above, was the tallest building in South America when it was built in the 1920's.
It would have been even taller if the original plan to put a lighthouse on top of it had been carried out. (You can see
it from most places in the old city.) Instead of a lighthouse, a big radio tower was placed on top but was later removed.
It is one of the things I wanted to see in Montevideo, and I think it is my favourite building.
The light coloured building on the right is the former presidential office, which is next to the current one.
It would have been even taller if the original plan to put a lighthouse on top of it had been carried out. (You can see
it from most places in the old city.) Instead of a lighthouse, a big radio tower was placed on top but was later removed.
It is one of the things I wanted to see in Montevideo, and I think it is my favourite building.
The light coloured building on the right is the former presidential office, which is next to the current one.
The building is a mix of apartments and offices. I found an ad on line for an apartment for sale
for $80,000US which currently is being rented for $600US a month.
for $80,000US which currently is being rented for $600US a month.
This gate was preserved when the walls around the city were torn down. In the centre of the plaza is a statue of
José Gervasio Artigas, and his tomb is beneath it. Artigas is considered to be the founding figure of independent Uruguay,
though he spent the last thirty years of his life in exile. The building in the background is the presidential office.
José Gervasio Artigas, and his tomb is beneath it. Artigas is considered to be the founding figure of independent Uruguay,
though he spent the last thirty years of his life in exile. The building in the background is the presidential office.
Uruguay had one of the coolest presidents in the world, Jose Mujica, who left office shortly after our visit.
He was in Costa Rica at the time. Our embassy is across the square from the Presidencia.
He was in Costa Rica at the time. Our embassy is across the square from the Presidencia.
There are a couple of grand theatres in Montevideo. We attended a show at the Auditorio Nacional Adela Reta.
About a block from our place is the Teatro Solis. Building began in the 1840's, but was halted for ten years so
people could concentrate on a civil war. It was named Solis (for an early explorer who was eaten by the natives)
because the name had no political associations.
About a block from our place is the Teatro Solis. Building began in the 1840's, but was halted for ten years so
people could concentrate on a civil war. It was named Solis (for an early explorer who was eaten by the natives)
because the name had no political associations.
When we visited, the current production was taking place on a stage in the seats, and there were seats on the stage facing out. That is why the boxes are curtained off. Below is a web picture of the theatre, and a tourist hiding in the bushes outside.
There were steel shutters over many buildings because it was a holiday.
There were steel shutters over many buildings because it was a holiday.