Top Tourist Attractions in Montevideo
A visit to the commercial and political city of Montevideo will place you in the heart of a refined cosmopolitan tourist destination that is second to none in the whole of South America. Montevideo is not only famous for the national drink locally known as mate but also for its number of contemporary and historic sites in this lovely Uruguayan city. With several beachfront promenades and magnificent museums, there are lots of places that will keep any tourist occupied for the whole duration of their visit. It is simply impossible to savor all the destinations that this city has to offer because they are too many and too beautiful. Here are some of the most exciting places to visit in Montevideo.
The Rambla of Montevideo
This refers to the beaches of Montevideo which seem to stretch for eternity. There are several beaches to choose from and they are lined with several benches where people can sit and have a chat while they take a sip of the “mate”. At any given time of the day, the beaches are full of people doing different activities such as swimming, exercising or just having good chats. This is an excellent place to watch the sunset as you relax with the soft blowing breeze from the ocean.
The Independence Square
Locally known as the Plaza Indipendencia, this is a must-see place especially if you are keen on learning about the rich history of Uruguay and if you want to discover some unique monument that the country is proud of. Some of the interesting features to see in the plaza are the General Artigas Mausoleum who is regarded as a national hero in the country and also the Puerta de la Ciudela. This is a six meter thick wall and it’s what is left of the initial fortification of the ancient city. Several attractions in the Independence square will be of great interest to a many of people.
The Legislative Palace
The Palacio Legislativo is a massive building and stands as one of the greatest landmarks in Montevideo. Other than the great display of architecture and the inspiring ancient designs that the legislative palace boasts of, it hosts amazing works of art, paintings, and antiques. The palace is also the home of Casa Rivera – the home of the first Uruguayan president Fructuosa Rivera and the Italian hero Guiseppe Garibaldi. Other important landmarks in the palace are the Cabildo de Montevideo and the ornate cathedral. This is a great place to visit for anyone who enjoys history and loves learning about ancient cultures.
The Carnival Museum
The Carnival Museum hosts the carnival festivities of the town which normally run from January to March every year. During this annual event, there is great display of vehicles, costumes and other antiques and it narrates how the festival had its genesis in Africa. During the festival, the items on display are arranged in a chronological order beginning with the most ancient to the most recent items obtained from past carnivals. For lovers of culture, this event is very satisfying.
Feria de Tristan Narvaja
If you love an awesome outdoor shopping experience, be sure to attend the Feria de Tristan Narvaja. This happens on Sundays and it includes a large outdoor fair which runs for several blocks within the city. During the fair, a number of items are up for sale and these include things like fresh fruits, costumes, traditional delicacies, antiques, ornaments and almost anything that can be sold. Feria de Tristan Narvaja is an ideal place to whisk off your Sunday afternoons and appreciate the diversity in culture of the people of Montevideo.
Museums in Montevideo
Montevideo has more than a fair share of museums. With over six national museums in the city, there is plenty to see and a lot to learn about the history of Uruguay from the museums. Some of the notable museums include the Casa de Rivera museum that is in the home of General Fructuso, Uruguay’s first president and the Juan Manuel Blanes Museum, which houses the mansion of Uruguay’s most celebrated painter, Juan Manuel Blanes. A visit to the Museo de la Memoira Review will reveal to you the painful period when Uruguay experienced a 12-year period of dictatorship and lost 2% of her population because of political crimes. In addition to the historical museums, several other museums are also available for fine arts, football and cultural heritage where you will find lots of items to see and a great deal of information.
