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What a Wonderful World (An #AtoZChallenge Post): U is for Uruguay

 

A large equestrian statue in the Plaza Zabala in Montevideo, Uruguay

My husband recently re-retired, and we are front-loading travel. My #AtoZChallenge posts this year will explore our adventures--some pre-retirement, some post. Today's location: Uruguay.

The cruise we were on made two stops in Montevideo, Uruguay. On the first stop, we wandered around Montevideo; on the second stop, we visited the nearby town of Colonia del Sacramento. 

Strolling down the streets of Montevideo is reminiscent of wandering old European streets. Even those not schooled in architectural styles will enjoy the charming buildings. 

Palacio Taranco, with its curved, arched entrance, is a palace designed by the same French architects who designed the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

The steeple of the Parish Church of St. Francis of Assisi rises upward against a deep blue sky

As visitors approach the Plaza Independencia, they will find the Gateway of the Citadel. Though the citadel was destroyed in 1829, part of the old wall remains. 

Tourists walk through the large stone gateway as they enter Independence Plaza.


After some time touring the old part of town, we ventured out a ways and spent time in a more recent edition to the city: the Montevideo Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No matter where in the world we travel, we can find familiarity and peace as we worship together with fellow followers of Christ. (And the buildings are always so beautiful!)

the Montevideo Temple, a mostly rectangular granite building, with a gold angel Moroni atop a single spire

On our return stop in Montevideo a few weeks later, we ventured out to one of the oldest towns in Uruguay: Colonia del Sacramento. We saw a bullring from the outside; the building was closed to visitors on the day we visited, so we were unable to go inside. Bullfighting was banned a few years after this building was completed (over 100 years ago) so the building was abandoned for decades before being restored.

the circular stone bullring, with keyhole-shaped arches around the structure

Just a short drive from the bullring is the oldest part of town, which was founded in 1680 and is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

A small white sign on the side of a small red building reads, "Calle D-Los Suspiros," which translates to "Street of Sighs"


The cobblestoned Street of Sighs, leading to the town square

There seem to be two divisions of thought regarding the name of this street. One is that the sighs originated from the "women of the night" businesses along this road. The other is that the sighs came from individuals who were brought here against their will and were making the walk from the boats to the central town square, where they would be sold into slavery.

The cobblestoned Street of Sighs, with the River Plate in the background

It's sobering to realize that a place of such beauty today could have been a place of dread years ago. 

A doorknob shaped like a hand is on a wooden door

A small stone and brick building, with red metal roof, stands along the cobblestone road

A red geranium and other green plants grow out of a gated window on a stone building


Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento, a stone church with two towers

Our time in Uruguay was too brief. We would love to return again someday.

Come back tomorrow to see where in the world we'll visit next! 


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