Sights of Uruguay where to relax. The best sights in Uruguay

Uruguay impresses all visiting tourists with its color, folk traditions and hospitality. There are no native Indians here, as in other Latin American countries, but while traveling to Uruguay, you will have a great opportunity to admire the beauties of the local nature, walk along and soak up the beach resorts of the Atlantic coast.

general information

Uruguay is one of the countries in South America. The full official name of the country is the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. The capital is . The population of Uruguay is 3.3 million people. Time zone: -3.

Location

Uruguay is located in the southeastern part of Latin America and has borders with Brazil (in the north) and (in the west). On the other two sides, the country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The area of ​​Uruguay is 176.2 thousand square meters. km.

Nature and geography of Uruguay

The landscape of the country is mainly plains, on the Atlantic coast there is a fertile lowland. The highest point is Mount Katedral (514 m). The Rio Negro, La Plata and rivers flow in Uruguay, and on the ocean coast you can see beautiful landscapes of lagoons (for example,).

A few words about the flora and fauna of Uruguay. This Latin American country is sometimes called "purple" because of the growth of herbs with a reddish tint in Uruguay, which give a unique flavor to local fields. There are not so many forests here (about 4% of the territory), and they grow mainly in river valleys. Pine and eucalyptus trees are planted in the east of the country.

The world of animals and birds of the country suffered significant losses due to the development of industry in Uruguay and the development of the territory for economic activity. Some rare species have disappeared forever. Of those representatives that can be seen today in the country, we single out partridges, pampas cats, hares, wild boars.

Climatic conditions

The climate in Uruguay is temperate subtropical. Summer in the country lasts from December to March, and winter - in June-August. If we talk about the temperature regime and precipitation, then the winter in Uruguay is quite mild, frosts are extremely rare.

It is warm in summer, at the peak of the beach season the air temperature reaches + 22 ... + 27 ° С. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, however, between April and November, heavy rains occur and strong winds can blow.

The best time to visit Uruguay is during the summer, when the weather is clear, sunny and very warm.

State structure

The form of government in Uruguay is a presidential republic. The President is the head of state and is elected for 5 years. The country's parliament, called the General Assembly, is bicameral and consists of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

The state symbols of Uruguay include the coat of arms and the flag, and in the photo of the latter you can see its resemblance to the flag of Argentina. This is due to the entry of the country into its composition before Uruguay gained independence.

Language

When asked what language is spoken in Uruguay, the answer is unequivocal: Spanish is considered the official language. However, Italian, French and English speech can also be heard on the streets of the city.

Religion

The main religion in Uruguay is Catholicism (about 70%). Protestantism and Orthodoxy are also represented (about 9%).

Major cities and resorts of Uruguay

Among the major cities in Uruguay, the following are especially popular among tourists:

Note that the beaches of Uruguay have excellent infrastructure and provide a full range of services for outdoor activities.

Attractions and tourism in Uruguay

It opens up a wide flight of fancy for you, because in Uruguay you can soak up the sun or go to conquer the waves on a surf, walk through the national park or look into the river lagoon, visit museums, galleries, explore, fortresses and much more. Tourism is one of the most promising sectors of the Uruguayan economy.

Consider briefly the main attractions of Uruguay:

Accommodation

They provide guests with excellent service at very reasonable prices. So, for example, in high season a hotel room will cost from $70 to $100 per day, in low season - $50. The choice of hotels and places of residence is very large, especially in large cities. In addition to hotels, you can stay in an apartment, which is profitable to rent for a long time (more than a month). Rental prices in Montevideo range from $300 per month for a one-room apartment in a remote area to $1,500 for a three-room apartment in the city center or near the beach.

Restaurants

In restaurants in Uruguay, you will find polite and helpful waiters and quite affordable prices. Dinner bill starts at $20. If you are in Montevideo, visit one of the following establishments: Tandory, Corchos Bistro y Boutique de vinos and Dueto with European cuisine. In José Ignacio, there is a wonderful restaurant La Huella in the form of a pirate ship, on the decks of which 40 chefs work, preparing delicious dishes for thousands of visitors every day.

Cuisine of Uruguay

The European ones had a noticeable influence. Here they mainly eat meat, fish, seafood, cheeses and eggs. In addition, pizzerias are widespread in Uruguay, and in general you can often find Italian dishes. We highly recommend trying beef steak, pancakes with meat, Choripan and Chivito sandwiches with sausage and steak, respectively, omelettes and pies. Non-alcoholic drinks in establishments are represented by tea, coffee and mate. From alcohol Uruguayans prefer whiskey, grappa, gin, wine and beer.

culture

The culture of Uruguay was significantly influenced by the fact that most of its inhabitants have European roots, and there are no more than 5-6% of people from Asia and Africa. The most memorable event of the year is, which lasts 40 days and takes place in January-February. The largest festivities take place in Montevideo. During the Carnival, you can become a spectator of grandiose street processions with carts and samba dancers in them, acrobats, musicians and dancers.

Connection

Cellular communication in Uruguay is represented by GSM 1800 and AMPS standards and is provided mainly by Movitel, Claro and Ancel/Antel. Calls both within the country and abroad are expensive. In this regard, it is better to use telephone boxes for international calls, buying special cards or tokens ($0.2) for this. For a minute of conversation with a subscriber in Moscow, you will pay $ 1.5. International dialing code in the country: +598, Internet zone: .uy.

Security

The security level in the country is one of the highest in Latin America. But vigilance, especially in crowded places, does not hurt. Be careful when communicating with local residents, watch your belongings and pocket money, do not accept offers from strangers for help in paperwork. With regard to medicine and health, it is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis A before visiting Uruguay.

shopping

Shops in Uruguay are usually open from 9:00 to 18:30 (less often until 22:00) on weekdays and from 9:00 to 13:00 on Saturday. Of greatest interest are the country's three megamalls - Punta Carretas Shopping, Montevideo Shopping and Tres Cruces Shopping. The first one is located in Punta del Este, the other two are in Montevideo. Prices for goods in the shops of the country are very moderate. In addition, in Uruguay there are markets called ferii where you can buy the same things even cheaper.

Nueva Palmira, Colonia and Carrasco free trade zones have been created to stimulate the development of the service sector and commerce in the country.

Among the most in demand are wooden and leather products, ceramics and wool sweaters, handicrafts, and jewelry.

Currency

The official currency of Uruguay is the Uruguayan peso. 1 peso (UYI) is equal to 100 centesimos. Please note that credit cards are accepted for payment mainly in large and resort cities. In hotels and shops where you can pay by card, they usually accept Visa and MasterCard, less often other credit cards. Currency exchange is best done in banks, exchange offices at travel agencies, hotels, shopping centers. Banks are open on weekdays from 13:00 to 17:00.

Transport

In the foreign trade and economy of Uruguay, river ports are of the greatest importance, among which Montevideo, Punta del Este, Paysandu, Fray Bentos and Nueva Palmira stand out. The largest airport in the country is the capital, serving all international and part of domestic lines. Highways within the country have a good road surface.

Urban in the capital is represented by buses and taxis. The cost of a trip on a regular bus is $1, for intercity trips on comfortable routes with air conditioning and wi-fi on board, you will have to pay $1.5–2. Taxi prices are moderate. If the taxi is free, then the red inscription libre is lit on the windshield. Another option for getting around the city is renting a car. At the peak of the tourist season, rental prices rise significantly, and renting a small middle-class car will cost you at least $60 per day. On the streets of Uruguay, you can see quite a lot of motorcycles and horse-drawn carts that provide waste and various garbage removal.

Visa information

For Russians, it is needed only if the trip is planned for more than 90 days. It is issued within 30 days, it will take another 1-2 days to receive it. Documents for obtaining a visa must be submitted at least 1.5-2 months before the trip, while paying a consular fee of $ 42.

Customs restrictions

When entering and leaving the territory of Uruguay, you can carry with you any amount of local and foreign currency. Amounts exceeding $10 thousand, as well as mobile phones, are subject to declaration.

It is forbidden to import drugs, explosive and flammable materials, alkaloids, pornography, counterfeit goods, as well as trees, plants, fruits, vegetables, seeds, meat and dairy products, honey and birds. To import a dog or cat, you must have an international veterinary certificate. Skins and stuffed animals, drugs, and medical preparations cannot be exported from the country.

How to get to the country?

There are no direct flights from Moscow to Uruguay, so you will have to fly with transfers. There are several options. The most budgetary one is to go by plane to, and then by ferry or bus to Montevideo. Another option involves flying to Carrasco International Airport in Montevideo with a layover in European or US cities (in which case a valid US visa is required).

A small South American state, invisible between large neighbors - and washed by the Atlantic Ocean, can hardly be called a popular destination for Russian tourists. The name, translated from the language of the Guarani Indians, means "river of colorful birds." The country is worthy of the attention of fans of colonial architecture, examples of which are widely represented in the capital. Interested in what to see in Uruguay other than? Head to Colonia del Sacramento in the southwest of the country. The historic center of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

TOP 15 attractions in Uruguay

Colonia del Sacramento Historic Quarter

The oldest town in Uruguay was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese. The Spaniards could not come to terms with the appearance of other colonialists on the opposite bank of La Plata and captured the city in the same year. The colony changed hands several more times, and all the historical vicissitudes for the right to own the city could not but be reflected in its architecture.
Today, UNESCO protects narrow cobbled streets and multi-colored one-story houses, tightly adjacent to each other - a typical old quarter of a Latin American city. In the old part of Colonia del Sacramento, you can observe the usual life of the townspeople, take colorful photos and drink coffee in one of the street cafes.

El Faro Lighthouse

Mankind has not yet learned to control the sea, despite high technology, and therefore the lighthouse in Colonia del Sacramento, first built on the Atlantic coast in the 17th century, continues to show the way to ships arriving at the city port.
For only half a dollar, you can look at Uruguay and the ocean from the observation decks of the lighthouse. A spiral staircase leads upstairs, and you can climb up to the middle of the snow-white tower, and to the very top.

Basilica del Sanctisimo Sacramento

The Church of Santissima Sacramento in Colonia is one of the oldest churches in the country. The first basilica on this site was built in 1690, but did not last long. In 1808, the Portuguese, who at that time owned these territories, erected a new temple.
The building is made of white stone. Its façade is adorned with two symmetrical towers with observation platforms where you can climb to look at the city and its surroundings. The interiors of the basilica look very modest and the only decoration is a golden sculpture in the altar niche.

Montevideo old town

The capital of the country was founded in the last third of the 17th century by the Portuguese, who built a fortress on the shore of the bay. For a long time, the fort served as smugglers, until the Spaniards, who took the territories, founded another fortification base on the opposite side of La Plata.
The old town today is the main square of Montevideo, the cathedral, built in the best traditions of classicism with baroque elements, and numerous colonial-looking houses, a characteristic feature of which are large courtyards.

Fortaleza del Cerro

Dominating the old town is a fort that appeared on a high hill in Montevideo at the beginning of the 19th century. The project was developed by the famous fortification engineer José dal Pozo. The fortress has repeatedly participated in military campaigns that were undertaken between the Spanish and Portuguese colonialists. Fortaleza del Cerro became the last Spanish stronghold in Uruguay.
In 1931, the fort was named a national monument and a military museum was opened in it, where you can look at Spanish and Portuguese weapons of the 18th-20th centuries, army ammunition, old maps and uniforms of soldiers who took part in conquest campaigns.

Parliament of Uruguay

In the capital, you can see another architectural monument, in which the legislative assembly of the country sits today. A building made of marble and granite appeared in the city in the first third of the last century. The palace was designed by the Italian architect Vittorio Meano, who is the author of the idea of ​​a similar mansion in Buenos Aires.
The roof of the Parliament is decorated with two symmetrical domes made of granite, and almost thirty varieties of marble of different shades were used in the decoration of the walls outside and inside.
The sculptural groups of José Belloni deserve special attention. The artist created bas-reliefs depicting both moments of the true history of Uruguay and allegorical characters.
Today, the Parliament building of Uruguay is on the lists of National Historic Monuments.

National Museum of Fine Arts

The Art Museum of the capital was founded in 1911, and since then its collection has collected many real masterpieces of painting and graphics - about 6,000 items. The five exhibition halls feature paintings by Francisco Goya, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Juan Manuel Blanes and internationally renowned local painters Rafael Barradas, Joaquin Torres Garcia and José Cuneo.

Museum. Juan Manuel Blanes

Another Montevideo art gallery specializes in Uruguayan art history. The museum, founded in 1930, exhibits the works of the artist, after whom the exposition is named, as well as paintings by his colleague and contemporary Pedro Figari.
Among the exhibits belonging to the brushes of artists with world-famous names, you will find masterpieces of Europeans. In the halls of the museum exhibited paintings by Goya, Honore Daumier, Paul Gauguin, Albrecht Durer, Picasso and Rembrandt.

Solis Theater

The capital's Solis Theater is the oldest in the country and throughout the Western Hemisphere. It was opened in 1865, and the opera "Ernani" by the immortal D. Verdi was the first production on its stage.
The Solis building was designed and built by the French master Victor Rabu. Neoclassical features are clearly traced in the architecture of the theater: both in the austere portico above the main facade, and in the capitals of the columns, and in the interior decoration.
The theater got its name in honor of the Spanish discoverer Juan del Solis, whose expedition was one of the first to land on the shores of La Plata Bay.

Palacio Piria

Another outstanding architectural monument of the Uruguayan capital, Palacio Piria today serves as the seat of the country's Supreme Court. Its construction began in 1916. The architect Camille Gardell, who designed the palace, was initially tasked with building a private residence for Francisco Piria, who in those years was not only a businessman, but also an outstanding politician in Uruguay. In the 40s. of the last century, the mansion served as the residence of the president of the country, and a decade later the court moved there.
The Piria Palace is an outstanding example of the architectural style that today is called eclecticism. Its main feature is the use of several architectural and artistic techniques in one building. In the building of the palace, the features of baroque, classicism, rococo and even empire are easily guessed.

Palacio Salva

Residents of Montevideo, answering the question of what to see in Uruguay, will be among the first to name Palacio Salvo. This palace is often called the symbol of the capital, especially since its tower dominates the entire architectural composition of the old center.
The skyscraper was built in the first third of the 20th century. commissioned by the Salvo brothers. The businessmen intended to open a business center there. For a long time Palacio Salva was one of the tallest buildings in South America. The height of the building reaches 105 m, including the spire.
The architectural style in which the project was developed can be called the same eclecticism. The skyscraper has features of art deco, neoclassicism and even neogothic. As conceived by the author of the project, Mario Palanti, the skyscraper symbolizes the "Divine Comedy". In full accordance with the work of Dante, the lower floors are reminiscent of the existence of hell, and the high tower embodies the dreams of paradise. Many decorative sculptural elements recreating fragments from Dante's work have been preserved on the facades.

Mausoleum of Artigas

Jose Hervasio Artigas - one of the prominent politicians of Uruguay, who led in the 19th century. local liberation movement, whose members fought for independence from Portuguese and Spanish colonization.
In 1977, the remains of the hero were solemnly buried in a mausoleum on Independence Square in Montevideo. Today, Mausoleo de Artigas is one of the most significant sights of Uruguay for local residents. During an excursion to the mausoleum, you will be able to watch the changing of the guard of honor - a bright and memorable ceremony.
Access to the hall where the urn with the ashes of the hero is located is open on weekends.

Mercado del Puerto

The Mercado del Puerto metropolitan covered market is an ideal place not only for shopping, but also for getting to know the local flavor. Seeing the artisans of Uruguay, buying authentic souvenirs, as they say, first hand, tasting South American cuisine in numerous street restaurants - an excellent plan for a few hours of stay in Montevideo.

Azulejo Museum

The private collection of the architect Artusio, collected by him for 40 years and donated by Montevideo, includes about 5,000 samples of tiles and other products made in the Portuguese azulejo technique. The exposition presents art nouveau and art deco ceramics, ceramic tiles, Neapolitan ceramic masterpieces, tiles from Delphi, glazed tiles from and many more magnificent products of artists involved in pottery.

Hand of Punta del Este

The monument on the ocean in the resort of the same name in Uruguay is known among tourists vacationing on local beaches. Its author is Mario Irarrasabal, who took part in an outdoor sculpture competition in the 1980s. last century.
Being the youngest among the participants in the competition, Mario could only get a place on the beach to implement his project. Then he came up with a sculpture in the form of a hand. Her fingers protrude above the edge of the sand and warn swimmers that the ocean is a serious test for an inexperienced swimmer.
As a result, the rest of the entries from the competition have long since disappeared, and the hand of Irarrasabal has become a tourist attraction in Uruguay.

How to fly

Of course, it is better to plan a trip to Uruguay on your own. It will be much cheaper, besides, ready-made tours to this country are not popular with us. There are no direct flights from Russia, you will have to fly with connections in European cities and possibly also in Sao Paulo.

What to watch

Montevideo - the capital of Uruguay, the city is relatively small, very calm. In the center you can find one- or two-story houses. There is no metro in the city, only surface transport. Independence Square is considered the very center of the city. There is no ocean in Montevideo itself, it is built at the mouth of La Plata. The water on the city beach is brown, but not because it is dirty, it has such a color because of the silt dissolved in it.

It is no exaggeration to call mate tea a hallmark of Uruguay and national pride. This drink is brewed in special containers, calabash, and drunk through a straw. Then it is brewed many times. On the embankment and in the streets of the city you can meet people with calabash in one hand and a thermos in the other.

Every morning, horse carts - garbage collectors - pass through the streets. This is also unlikely to be found in a modern big city. It should be noted that Montevideo is quite dirty - people are not accustomed to throwing garbage into the bins.

Ciudad Vieja, or the old town, is a historical center, quite small in area. There is a market, a theater, and beautiful colonial buildings. And although in general it is quite safe in Montevideo, it is better not to walk along the streets of the old city early in the morning and late in the evening, as cases of robbery are known.

Restaurants and food

Uruguay is famous primarily for meat dishes. It is believed that this is where the best meat in South America is grown, as it is grown without the use of artificial additives and hormones. One of the national dishes is pariya, or parischa. This is an assortment of grilled meats and sausages. The best parischa is prepared in open restaurants right on the market near the port. But they are only open until 6pm. Local wines are of excellent quality and relatively low price.

One of the most interesting museums in Montevideo is the Carnival Museum.

The inhabitants of Uruguay are very friendly people, here you will not encounter aggression. In addition, almost all of them are of European appearance, and there is no hatred for the “gringo”, as in some other countries. Spanish is distinct from classical Castilian.

Recently Uruguay has legalized some soft drugs and same-sex marriages.

Currency and prices

The national currency of the country is the Uruguayan peso. The country has an official exchange rate, so paying with a bank card will also be beneficial. Recently, prices in Uruguay have risen and they can be compared with European ones.

What to bring

Calabash, mate tea, red wine, and leather goods are traditionally brought from Uruguay.

Suburbs of Montevideo

The most famous resort in Uruguay is Punto del Este, where wealthy Argentines love to relax. This is a rather expensive resort with many hotels and restaurants.

Very close to the capital is the small town of Periapolis, which is also a resort. It is much quieter and calmer here, you can ride the cable car and swim in the ocean.

From Montevideo, you can take a ferry to Buenos Aires in just a few hours.

Uruguay is not a tourist country at all and there are not many famous sights here, but peace, tranquility and nature conquer. It is especially good to relax here after noisy cities.

The most popular national park of the country, Cabo Polonio, whose territory occupies about 14,000 hectares, has existed since 1942. This year, a small village appeared in the province of Rocha, and at the same time this place was declared as a recreational area, sea lions, South American fur seals, pampas deer, otters and 150 species of birds. Cabo Polonio is pure wilderness, except for its population of 36 people. Only from December to February (summer months) the park is filled with many tourists, most of whom are Argentines and Uruguayans, who dream of spending a vacation in the bosom of nature. There is almost no electricity and absolutely no entertainment, except for a few hostels and candle-lit restaurants. Generators for electricity supply are turned on for only 2-4 hours a day, and even then not everywhere. Water is supplied by hand pumps. But at night the sky is filled with billions of bright stars.

The most beautiful Iguazu Falls, of which there are a total of 275 waterfalls , located on the border of three countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay. This attraction is located on the territory of the protected reserve Iguazu. The Iguazu River, which feeds the falls, originates south of Sao Paulo, near the Atlantic coast of Brazil. Four kilometers is the width of the water surface next to the waterfall. The cliff from which the waterfalls break has the shape of a crescent. The sound of water breaking down from the Iguazu Falls can be heard tens of kilometers away. An amazing bright rainbow often appears due to its spray. Such a magnificent sight attracts a huge number of tourists every year during the season.

The true pride of Piriapolis and the Republic of Uruguay as a whole, as well as a favorite tourist attraction located on the territory of the country, are the well-known hills of Ingles, Pan de Azucar, El Toro. They are known for the famous monuments located on their peaks, as well as for the picturesque beauties that can be seen only by visiting the top of each. On top of one of them, for example, you can see the magnificent temple of San Antonio. Going to Ingles Hill, you can admire the most beautiful sunset. At the very top of the hill, called Pan de Asucar, there is a giant cross. But the hill of El Toro is known among travelers for its hot healing springs.

Piria Castle is located in the resort town of Piriapolis. It was built at the end of the 19th century, and at that time it belonged to the Amaro family. Over the century of its existence, the castle has changed more than one owner, and in 1978 it was completely restored. Today, Piria is owned by the council of the Maldonado region. Currently, this castle houses a museum with magnificent exhibits telling about the history of the city. Walking through the castle, you can see many exhibits made of granite, which are carved by local craftsmen and collected from all over the area, unique collections of glass and clay products, old photographs and archival materials. In the halls of this amazing castle, you can also see a collection of bathing suits belonging to different eras and the tools of barbers of those times. The architecture of the castle is interesting, and the most beautiful gardens surrounding it lie like a green blanket.

Mercado del Puerto Port Market in Montevideo

Mercado del Puerto is a port market that is very popular with locals and travelers alike. The fact is that this place is a real treat for lovers of meat in different forms. Here you will find many eateries that will offer you churrascos (grilled meat), and the prices will allow you to relish and fill your fill for only 15 dollars. It is considered that this is an expensive place intended for tourists, since in almost any cafe you can dine at about half the price. However, such delicious food is undoubtedly worth the money. You will also see and be able to buy seafood for ridiculous money, of which there are a huge number. In the evenings in this place you can see many antique stalls and artists with their easels. Antiques, souvenirs and groceries are available at the Feria de Tristan Narvaja open market, but the Mercado del Puerto is unrivaled due to its popularity.

Independence Square in Montevideo

Independence Square in Montevideo is a great place to start your acquaintance with the city. It is the largest in the city, through which you can get from the old city to the port. The bronze statue of José Artigas, the national hero of Uruguay, stands on Independence Square on a marble pedestal. The statue towers majestically over the tomb in which the remains of Artigas rest. José Artigas is a famous Uruguayan general who, thanks to the fact that he led the struggle for the independence of Uruguay in the period 1811-1820, became the local Bolívar. On Independence Square you can also see the Salvo Palace, built in 1927 and consisting of 26 floors. Salvo Palace is the tallest building in the city, and at the time of its construction, this building was the tallest in South America.

In the old part of the capital of Uruguay Montevideo on the Constitution Square is the Catholic Church of Montevideo. This temple was built in the neoclassical style and is not only the main temple of Catholics, plus it is one of the most beautiful cathedrals built in the Baroque style. The Metropolitan Temple was founded in 1740. The magnificent Palacio Estevez was built in the southern part of the square in the 18th century and until 1985 was the seat of the country's government. The Constitution Square is home to the most beautiful and best Solis Theater in the country, as well as many old buildings built in the colonial era and, of course, the Town Hall building, which was built in the traditions of classicism. Constitution Square in Montevideo is almost never empty. Here at any time of the day you can meet both locals and travelers.

On the Avenue of the Law of Montevideo is the building of the Parliament of Uruguay, also called the Palace of the Law by the locals. The building is magnificent, both in its design and in the proper organization of the internal space. The Palace of the Law is built in the neoclassical style of architecture. The facades of the building are stylized as ancient Greek, due to which they have a luxurious appearance. The inside is finished with granite and marble. In 1923, preparations were made for the design of the parliament building. At that time, the country was small and had almost no funds for such a large-scale construction, but at the same time, the population felt that the building needed to be built and it should become a symbol of Uruguay, combining beauty and functionality. So we can say that the Palace of the Law was originally built, first of all, as a national monument of the country.

La Plata Bay (Río de la Plata - translated as "Silver River"), in fact, is a flooded mouth of the river (estuary), which was formed as a result of the confluence of the Parana River and the Uruguay River, so the locals often call it a river. The length of La Plata from the confluence of the rivers to the place where the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean is 290 km. This river is known as the widest in the world. The width of the river at the confluence of Uruguay and Parana is 48 km, but where La Plata merges with the Atlantic Ocean, its width is 220 km. According to historical data, the name of the river comes from the "River Plate", which translates from English as "river plate". This name is deserved by the flat bottom of La Plata with its frequent shoals. According to another version, Latin Americans associate the name of the river with the times of the gold rush, since at that time silver was found in the bed of La Plata.

The university was opened in Montevideo in 1986 in the building of the Stock Exchange of Uruguay. The University of Montevideo was founded by Ricardo Oliver Garcia and Jorge Peirano Basso. Currently, this university occupies several buildings, each of which is located in a different area of ​​the city. In May 1988, this university was legally recognized as a non-profit organization. In January of the following year, it was approved by a republican law, and in August 1995, the University of Montevideo was transformed into a private educational institution. The promotion of science, technology and culture is the main goal of the University of Montevideo. Today it offers a variety of training programs in each scientific field. Thanks to the highest level of knowledge obtained at the University of Montevideo, its graduates are especially in demand in the labor market.

The National Library of Montevideo was opened thanks to Antonio Damaso Laerreñaga (priest), who sent a letter to the Council in August 1815 stating that a public library should be opened. The priest agreed to take care of all the organizational work, but at the same time, he needed a building for the library, which had to meet the necessary requirements. The decree to open the library was issued a week after the Council received his letter. The new building was provided to the library in 1964. This building was erected in the neoclassical style by the famous architect in Uruguay - Lais Crespi. Today's National Library consists of five floors and a basement. The total area of ​​the library is almost 4,000 m2. The collection of the library today is about nine hundred thousand books, including the most valuable documentary monuments of Uruguayan literature, engravings, photographs, as well as collections of ancient maps.

Currently, Salvo Palace is the tallest building in Uruguay. In 1927, when it was built, this palace was the tallest in all of South America. The building of the Salvo Palace is the visiting card of the capital of Uruguay. His photographs can be seen on every guidebook in the country. The building was designed by Mario Palanti, a famous Italian architect, so the Italian Gothic is well traced in the mixture of styles in which the palace was built and decorated. The original purpose of the construction of the palace was to make it a hotel of the highest level, but it never became a hotel. According to legend, the Uruguayan Gerardo Hernan Matos Rodriguez, the son of the owner of the Moulin Rouge, journalist, composer and musician, in 1917, on the very spot where the Salvo Palace now stands, wrote the first and beloved by all tango La Cumparsita.

On the Constitution Square of Montevideo is one of the most beautiful theaters in the country - Solis Theatre. The theater building, erected in the style of classicism, was under construction for more than thirty years 1841-74. The Solis Theater has the largest stage venue in the capital of Uruguay. The theater building has an excellent location - it is located in the Old Town of Montevideo, not far from the city center and the central promenade. The Solis Theater is magnificent in its performance - it harmoniously combines simplicity and rigor, and it is especially beautiful at dusk in the illumination of spotlights. This is a place that every tourist who comes to Uruguay should visit, because the Solis Theater is one of the most beautiful both in Uruguay and in the whole world.

Lobos Island is located near Punta del Este (12 km southeast) and from La Plata Bay, in the Atlantic Ocean. This island is known as the southernmost point of the country. The height of the solid rock formation, which is Lobos Island, is 26 meters. Its shores are pebbly beaches and low cliffs. The central part of Lobos is a huge plateau covered with the thinnest layer of soil. The island has freshwater springs, and as for its vegetation, it is reeds and nothing else. The maximum width of the island is 816 meters, its length is 1.2 kilometers, and the total area is 41 hectares. On the territory of this nature reserve there is a huge (the largest in South America) population of southern sea lions - 200,000. These sea lions are also called "sea wolves", from which the island got its name. South American fur seals can also be found on the island.

From Montevideo's Sero hill, which is 132 meters high, offers a wonderfully beautiful view of Montevideo across the bay. It was this hill that gave the name to the capital of the country. On Cerro Montevideo lies the citadel of Fortaleza Gral Artigas, on the territory of which there is a small military museum. The highest point in Uruguay - a country of plains - is Mount Cerro Catedral, its height is 514 m above sea level. However, it is Cerro Montevideo that is depicted on the city coat of arms of the capital. The fact is that the legend says: in 1520, on one of the ships of the Magellan expedition, the lookout shouted out - I see a mountain! "I see a mountain" is translated from Spanish as Monte Video. It was the main height of the capital. At the beginning of the 19th century, after the British invasion in 1807, a fort was built on the mountain, which was supposed to protect the main lighthouse. Now the fort is a museum of the armed forces.

Famous and Fascinating sights of Uruguay attract the attention of many visitors. People love out-of-the-ordinary vacation options, out-of-the-ordinary real estate, and unique lifestyles. Everything that cannot be repeated is intriguing. History of Uruguay very rich, so there are quite a lot of places that can reveal the great secrets of a small state. Visiting squares, parks, photographing exhibits and conquering peaks is just an unforgettable pastime, this is a unique life experience that cannot be forgotten.

What else attracts tourists, besides sights? Yes, of course, entertainment Uruguay. The more activities, the more tourists. Recreation centers have been created here, where you can have a great time with young children. For young families, the availability of such an opportunity is the key to choosing a country and city for travel. Also, young groups of friends here will also be able to visit incendiary clubs, pubs, restaurants. All different places, new at every turn Attraction. Therefore, do not forget about the photo and exciting vacation.

knowledgeable, beautiful, places of interest in Uruguay visited by many tourists. But it is worth noting that only a few can feel the real taste of local mysteries. During the day, the country is presented in one image, but at night new unexplored spaces open up. Therefore, you should never choose only one side of life. Often, we get used to move on to the day, but the night is not only fear and darkness. These are also new opportunities and chances to see the beautiful sky, to find out what a rich city life is, how the capital of Uruguay burns in night lanterns, how the waves of night surfs rustle. This is just a small part of the interesting places that are open to everyone, but only a few take advantage of this opportunity.

There are such Uruguay tours carried out by true professionals. It's awesome, of course. But it is worth paying attention to the opportunity to walk around the places that the locals will be happy to show you. The upside is that these are non-standard approaches to stories. Locals will show what is really important for the city, the country. There will be an opportunity to feel the customs of the people, to feel the full force of life in the country.

Significant services to the country, city, population are the reasons why many monuments of Uruguay were built in the country. There is a wide range of places worth visiting. A significant amount is not only of local importance, but even goes to the state or world. Each should be given special attention, control and care. Therefore, many excursions offer a visit to the great monuments in the mandatory program.

Museums in Uruguay

What first of all comes to mind, if we talk about historical places, sights of the country. Yes, of course, . These are unique buildings where exhibits are collected, which carry most of the information. You can read a lot about events, imagine what this or that thing looks like. But that feeling when you can see Uruguay, the historical state in the little things that are in museums is simply unforgettable. A person seems to be transported centuries ago, and with his own eyes opens a new, unknown world of mysteries and secrets of a great state.