Colonia del Sacramento
Unesco World Heritage
Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, located at the tip of a short peninsula with a strategic position on the north shore of the Río de la Plata, facing Buenos Aires. In the region, the Historic Quarter of Colonia is the only example of an urban plan that does not conform to the rigid "checkerboard" grid imposed by Spain under the "Laws of the Indies." Instead, this city has a free plan adapted to the topographical features of the site, although strongly influenced by its military function. Throughout the successive destruction's and occupations of its territory, the Historic Quarter acquired the urban and architectural heterogeneity that characterizes it: to the contributions of the Portuguese and Spanish, were added those of the artisans who emigrated there during the second half of the 19th century. All of its modest buildings, in regard both to their dimensions and their appearance, are a particularly interesting testimony to the singular fusion of the Portuguese and Spanish traditions that is evident in the construction methods used. The civil and religious buildings with long stone walls, wooden trellis and tiled roofs reveal an excellent knowledge of traditional construction systems and contribute to the architectural unity specific to the Historic Quarter. The special nature of Colonia del Sacramento is also based on its urban landscape, a mixture of large arteries and large squares, with narrow cobbled streets and more private spaces. The scale of the Historic Quarter is marked by the predominance of single-storey houses, those of two stories being rare. From the bay, only the outlines of the lighthouse and church towers stand out. Surrounded by water on three sides, the relationship of the city to the river is one of the natural aspects that additionally characterizes it. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Unesco World Heritage
Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, located at the tip of a short peninsula with a strategic position on the north shore of the Río de la Plata, facing Buenos Aires. In the region, the Historic Quarter of Colonia is the only example of an urban plan that does not conform to the rigid "checkerboard" grid imposed by Spain under the "Laws of the Indies." Instead, this city has a free plan adapted to the topographical features of the site, although strongly influenced by its military function. Throughout the successive destruction's and occupations of its territory, the Historic Quarter acquired the urban and architectural heterogeneity that characterizes it: to the contributions of the Portuguese and Spanish, were added those of the artisans who emigrated there during the second half of the 19th century. All of its modest buildings, in regard both to their dimensions and their appearance, are a particularly interesting testimony to the singular fusion of the Portuguese and Spanish traditions that is evident in the construction methods used. The civil and religious buildings with long stone walls, wooden trellis and tiled roofs reveal an excellent knowledge of traditional construction systems and contribute to the architectural unity specific to the Historic Quarter. The special nature of Colonia del Sacramento is also based on its urban landscape, a mixture of large arteries and large squares, with narrow cobbled streets and more private spaces. The scale of the Historic Quarter is marked by the predominance of single-storey houses, those of two stories being rare. From the bay, only the outlines of the lighthouse and church towers stand out. Surrounded by water on three sides, the relationship of the city to the river is one of the natural aspects that additionally characterizes it. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Iglesia Mother
The Basilica Church of the Blessed Sacrament is considered the oldest church in the whole country. From here it highlights its importance and the great history that it keeps between its walls. It is located in the Historic Quarter of the city and is considered to date back to 1680. The basilica was a very important place in antiquity, which played an important role in society. In fact, it is a building that was rebuilt several times and inside it two tombs conserve that of Vicar Domingo Rama and Father Barredo. In its beginnings it was not the basilica that it is today, but it went back to a precarious manufacture of straw and clod. And with the government process of the Portuguese, the church was taking the current form. But due to the intense conquests suffered by the city of Colonia in Spanish and Portuguese hands, the church was attacked numerous times, for which it had to be rebuilt many times until 1976 remaining in its current form. In 1957 the façade and the azulajada cupola were recovered. In fact, during the 19th century, different works were made in order to restore and preserve the building. Source: www.guiacolonia.com.uy
The Basilica Church of the Blessed Sacrament is considered the oldest church in the whole country. From here it highlights its importance and the great history that it keeps between its walls. It is located in the Historic Quarter of the city and is considered to date back to 1680. The basilica was a very important place in antiquity, which played an important role in society. In fact, it is a building that was rebuilt several times and inside it two tombs conserve that of Vicar Domingo Rama and Father Barredo. In its beginnings it was not the basilica that it is today, but it went back to a precarious manufacture of straw and clod. And with the government process of the Portuguese, the church was taking the current form. But due to the intense conquests suffered by the city of Colonia in Spanish and Portuguese hands, the church was attacked numerous times, for which it had to be rebuilt many times until 1976 remaining in its current form. In 1957 the façade and the azulajada cupola were recovered. In fact, during the 19th century, different works were made in order to restore and preserve the building. Source: www.guiacolonia.com.uy
Museo Municipal
Portuguese construction of the first half of the eighteenth century, modified in the Spanish period. The roof was replaced, as well as its facade, now of neoclassical style. Known as the House of Secretaries for its original function, it was later used as a home. It is the first museum created in 1951, whose objects have in common to be built, inherited, discovered or used by ancestors of the community itself. Through the collection, the museum offers visitors a reading of their environment from prehistoric times to today. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Portuguese construction of the first half of the eighteenth century, modified in the Spanish period. The roof was replaced, as well as its facade, now of neoclassical style. Known as the House of Secretaries for its original function, it was later used as a home. It is the first museum created in 1951, whose objects have in common to be built, inherited, discovered or used by ancestors of the community itself. Through the collection, the museum offers visitors a reading of their environment from prehistoric times to today. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Museo Casa de Nacarello (Nacarello House Museum)
Portuguese construction of the first half of the 18th century with a gable roof. It preserves the original stone walls and part of the floor. His visit transports us to everyday life in colonial times.The rooms show us different everyday objects such as furniture, ceramics and kitchen utensils. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Portuguese construction of the first half of the 18th century with a gable roof. It preserves the original stone walls and part of the floor. His visit transports us to everyday life in colonial times.The rooms show us different everyday objects such as furniture, ceramics and kitchen utensils. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Museo Portugués (Portuguese Museum)
Portuguese construction of the first half of the 18th century with a hipped roof made of wood and tiles. Its exterior walls are made of stone and adobe. Its internal walls are partitions made in a wooden structure filled with stones, pieces of tiles and adobe. Its annexes show us Spanish constructions from the end of the 18th century on Portuguese walls with flat roofs "a la porteña". In its exhibition stand out: the original coat of arms of the Portón de Campo, Portuguese furniture, armament, popular handicrafts and reproductions of cartographies of the XVI and XVII centuries. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Portuguese construction of the first half of the 18th century with a hipped roof made of wood and tiles. Its exterior walls are made of stone and adobe. Its internal walls are partitions made in a wooden structure filled with stones, pieces of tiles and adobe. Its annexes show us Spanish constructions from the end of the 18th century on Portuguese walls with flat roofs "a la porteña". In its exhibition stand out: the original coat of arms of the Portón de Campo, Portuguese furniture, armament, popular handicrafts and reproductions of cartographies of the XVI and XVII centuries. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Museo del Azulejo (Tile Museum)
Construcción portuguesa de la primera mitad del Siglo XVIII. Techo a dos aguas con tejas. Conserva sus paredes, un tirante y parte del piso. Muestra una colección de azulejos de origen español y francés usados en la arquitectura del Río de la Plata desde el siglo XIX. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Construcción portuguesa de la primera mitad del Siglo XVIII. Techo a dos aguas con tejas. Conserva sus paredes, un tirante y parte del piso. Muestra una colección de azulejos de origen español y francés usados en la arquitectura del Río de la Plata desde el siglo XIX. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Museo Indígena (Indigenous Museum)
Spanish construction of the 19th century. It was restored during the twentieth century, keeping its original staircase. In its upstairs rooms, it shows numerous objects of indigenous archeology found on the coasts and in the territory of the department of Colonia, elaborated by the aboriginal communities that inhabited the region. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Spanish construction of the 19th century. It was restored during the twentieth century, keeping its original staircase. In its upstairs rooms, it shows numerous objects of indigenous archeology found on the coasts and in the territory of the department of Colonia, elaborated by the aboriginal communities that inhabited the region. Source: www.museoscolonia.com.uy
Exhibition "Princess Diana of Wales: a heart without borders", Bastion del Carmen