Custom Walk in Montevideo, Uruguay by mwollitz1_db65f created on 2024-12-06
Guide Location: Uruguay » Montevideo
Guide Type: Custom Walk
# of Sights: 6
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.2 Km or 4.5 Miles
Share Key: 4VVKS
Guide Type: Custom Walk
# of Sights: 6
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.2 Km or 4.5 Miles
Share Key: 4VVKS
How It Works
Please retrieve this walk in the 51±¬ÁÏÍø app. Once done, the app will guide you from one tour stop to the next as if you had a personal tour guide. If you created the walk on this website or come to the page via a link, please follow the instructions below to retrieve the walk in the app.
Retrieve This Walk in App
Step 1. Download the app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Step 2. In the 51±¬ÁÏÍø app, download(or launch) the guide "Montevideo Map and Walking Tours".
Step 3. Tap the menu button located at upper right corner of the "Walks" screen and select "Retrieve custom walk". Enter the share key: 4VVKS
1) Port of Montevideo Public Terminal
The Port of Montevideo Public Terminal stands as the principal maritime gateway to Uruguay, strategically located on the River Plate's central southern coast within the protective embrace of Montevideo Bay. This bustling port, with its significant historical and economic importance, serves as a vital hub for various maritime activities.
The port is ingeniously situated inside a bay, providing shelter and facilitating the efficient handling of diverse cargo and passenger vessels. Its infrastructure is divided into two primary sections, each dedicated to specific maritime functions. The eastern side of the bay is devoted to handling dry cargo, containers, and passenger vessels, while the northwestern side, known as La Teja, serves as the oil and gas terminal.
Visitors arriving at the Port of Montevideo are welcomed by a range of amenities within the entrance area. These include a post office, an Internet cafe (with associated charges), and captivating modern industrial sculptures that offer a unique backdrop for photo opportunities.
Cruise ships docking at the port enjoy close proximity to key attractions such as the market and the old town. One of the notable features appreciated by tourists is the convenience of shopping right across from the port entry gate. The surrounding area is teeming with an array of establishments, including souvenir shops, street vendors offering local crafts, jewelry stores, wine shops, restaurants, and stores specializing in artisanal products and clothing.
The port is ingeniously situated inside a bay, providing shelter and facilitating the efficient handling of diverse cargo and passenger vessels. Its infrastructure is divided into two primary sections, each dedicated to specific maritime functions. The eastern side of the bay is devoted to handling dry cargo, containers, and passenger vessels, while the northwestern side, known as La Teja, serves as the oil and gas terminal.
Visitors arriving at the Port of Montevideo are welcomed by a range of amenities within the entrance area. These include a post office, an Internet cafe (with associated charges), and captivating modern industrial sculptures that offer a unique backdrop for photo opportunities.
Cruise ships docking at the port enjoy close proximity to key attractions such as the market and the old town. One of the notable features appreciated by tourists is the convenience of shopping right across from the port entry gate. The surrounding area is teeming with an array of establishments, including souvenir shops, street vendors offering local crafts, jewelry stores, wine shops, restaurants, and stores specializing in artisanal products and clothing.
2) Mercado del Puerto (Port Market) (must see)
The Port Market of Montevideo is thought to be the ultimate gastronomic watering hole in the port of Montevideo. One thing to note, however. The market is not a market. It was once a real market, but that was a long time ago. Now it is an iron commercial palace, home to several restaurants having "the best meat in Uruguay."
The Port Market is located in the Old City section of town, right in front of the port. It was created in 1865 and built of iron, like many similar fashionable buildings in Europe at that time. Construction took nearly three years. The facility was inaugurated by the President of Uruguay, Lorenzo Batlle.
At present, the Market is a Mecca for carnivores. Uruguayans, it is said, love meat. They believe tourists feel the same way. Unforgettable dining experiences can be found in restaurants like La Chacra del Puerto, which features a Uruguayan meat grill. Then there is La Parrillada el Quarto, El Peregrino, and La Parrillada la Maestranza.
This unique market has a colonial appearance with a modern feel to it. The Port Market is open Monday to Sunday. Sundays are the busiest times.
The Port Market is located in the Old City section of town, right in front of the port. It was created in 1865 and built of iron, like many similar fashionable buildings in Europe at that time. Construction took nearly three years. The facility was inaugurated by the President of Uruguay, Lorenzo Batlle.
At present, the Market is a Mecca for carnivores. Uruguayans, it is said, love meat. They believe tourists feel the same way. Unforgettable dining experiences can be found in restaurants like La Chacra del Puerto, which features a Uruguayan meat grill. Then there is La Parrillada el Quarto, El Peregrino, and La Parrillada la Maestranza.
This unique market has a colonial appearance with a modern feel to it. The Port Market is open Monday to Sunday. Sundays are the busiest times.
3) Andes Museum
The Andes Museum 1972 (Museo Andes 1972) in Montevideo provides a poignant historical account of the tragic Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash. Located in the Old City, this museum delves into the harrowing survival story of Uruguayan high school rugby players and their companions who were en route to Chile when their plane met with disaster in the Andes in 1972. Notably, these passengers included members of the Old Christians rugby club.
The museum serves as a tribute to the 29 individuals who perished in this accident, as well as to the survivors who endured 72 days under extreme conditions in the Andes, lacking adequate food and clothing. Their tale of survival has captured the global imagination, inspiring numerous books, documentaries, and the film "Alive."
Operated as a private enterprise, the Andes Museum 1972 has been recognized by Uruguay's Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for its cultural and tourist significance. Open to the public Monday through Saturday, it attracts international visitors and scholars alike, making it an important site for social studies.
The museum houses a collection of objects, documents, photographs, and realia that recount the events and aftermath of the Andes Tragedy. Information is presented in both Spanish and English to cater to a diverse audience. Additionally, a store within the museum offers books, T-shirts, and other memorabilia linked to the tragedy, allowing visitors to take home a piece of this poignant historical narrative.
The museum serves as a tribute to the 29 individuals who perished in this accident, as well as to the survivors who endured 72 days under extreme conditions in the Andes, lacking adequate food and clothing. Their tale of survival has captured the global imagination, inspiring numerous books, documentaries, and the film "Alive."
Operated as a private enterprise, the Andes Museum 1972 has been recognized by Uruguay's Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for its cultural and tourist significance. Open to the public Monday through Saturday, it attracts international visitors and scholars alike, making it an important site for social studies.
The museum houses a collection of objects, documents, photographs, and realia that recount the events and aftermath of the Andes Tragedy. Information is presented in both Spanish and English to cater to a diverse audience. Additionally, a store within the museum offers books, T-shirts, and other memorabilia linked to the tragedy, allowing visitors to take home a piece of this poignant historical narrative.
4) Catedral de Montevideo (Metropolitan Cathedral) (must see)
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Montevideo is the seat of the Catholic Church of Montevideo. It sits directly in front of the old Cabildo Montevideo, a colonial government house, by Constitution Square in the historic Old City. The site of the first brick church dates from 1740, in Spanish colonial times. In 1790, the foundation was laid for the construction of the current cathedral building.
The Cathedral was consecrated in 1804 and was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and honors Saints Philip and James, the patron saints of the city. The architectural style of the building is Colonial Neoclassical, as designed by architect Tomas Toribio. The building's facade was formally completed in 1860.
Inside the Cathedral, there is one major altar, several side altars, memorials, tombs, ornate tiled floors, and graceful chandeliers. One of the side altars holds a statue of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three. She is celebrated as the Patroness of Uruguay and the Liberator of Uruguay.
No less than eight notable personalities are entombed within the Cathedral walls. They are various clergy, military, and political figures. The Cathedral is the inspiration for a musical work composed by the great Paraguayan classical guitarist and composer Agustin Pio Barrios. Considered to be his masterpiece, it is in three movements: Andante Religioso, Allegro Solemne, and Prelude.
The Cathedral holds artworks of great value by Uruguayan artists Jose Belloni, Juan Manuel Blanes and others. The church was consecrated when the country had not yet obtained its independence. Its Bicentenario was celebrated in 2004.
The Cathedral was consecrated in 1804 and was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and honors Saints Philip and James, the patron saints of the city. The architectural style of the building is Colonial Neoclassical, as designed by architect Tomas Toribio. The building's facade was formally completed in 1860.
Inside the Cathedral, there is one major altar, several side altars, memorials, tombs, ornate tiled floors, and graceful chandeliers. One of the side altars holds a statue of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three. She is celebrated as the Patroness of Uruguay and the Liberator of Uruguay.
No less than eight notable personalities are entombed within the Cathedral walls. They are various clergy, military, and political figures. The Cathedral is the inspiration for a musical work composed by the great Paraguayan classical guitarist and composer Agustin Pio Barrios. Considered to be his masterpiece, it is in three movements: Andante Religioso, Allegro Solemne, and Prelude.
The Cathedral holds artworks of great value by Uruguayan artists Jose Belloni, Juan Manuel Blanes and others. The church was consecrated when the country had not yet obtained its independence. Its Bicentenario was celebrated in 2004.
5) Cementerio Central (Central Cemetery)
The Central Cemetery (Cementerio Central), situated in Montevideo is a significant historical and cultural landmark, recognized as one of the country's principal cemeteries. Since its establishment in 1835, it has become the final resting place for many of Uruguay's most distinguished individuals, which has contributed to its status as one of the most visited cemeteries in Uruguay.
Located in the southern part of Montevideo, the cemetery was originally founded on the outskirts of the city. Its establishment, far from the urban center, was a precautionary measure against potential epidemics—a common concern of the era. However, due to the rapid expansion of Montevideo throughout the 20th century, the Cementerio Central now finds itself enveloped by the city.
The cemetery's layout was commissioned by then-president Manuel Oribe, who entrusted the design to architect Carlos Zucchi. Notably, its striking entrance was designed by Bernardo Poncini, a Ticinese architect and sculptor, after the Uruguayan Civil War. This entrance became a symbol of the cemetery's architectural and artistic significance.
The Central Cemetery became increasingly popular after 1858, serving as one of the first secular cemeteries in Uruguay at a time when the Catholic Church predominantly managed burials. This marked a significant shift in burial practices within the country. The cemetery is renowned not only for its historical relevance but also for its artistic heritage. It houses various sculptures and mausoleums crafted by notable artists like José Belloni and José Luis Zorrilla de San MartÃn, making it a place of interest not only for its historical and cultural value but also for its artistic contributions.
Located in the southern part of Montevideo, the cemetery was originally founded on the outskirts of the city. Its establishment, far from the urban center, was a precautionary measure against potential epidemics—a common concern of the era. However, due to the rapid expansion of Montevideo throughout the 20th century, the Cementerio Central now finds itself enveloped by the city.
The cemetery's layout was commissioned by then-president Manuel Oribe, who entrusted the design to architect Carlos Zucchi. Notably, its striking entrance was designed by Bernardo Poncini, a Ticinese architect and sculptor, after the Uruguayan Civil War. This entrance became a symbol of the cemetery's architectural and artistic significance.
The Central Cemetery became increasingly popular after 1858, serving as one of the first secular cemeteries in Uruguay at a time when the Catholic Church predominantly managed burials. This marked a significant shift in burial practices within the country. The cemetery is renowned not only for its historical relevance but also for its artistic heritage. It houses various sculptures and mausoleums crafted by notable artists like José Belloni and José Luis Zorrilla de San MartÃn, making it a place of interest not only for its historical and cultural value but also for its artistic contributions.
6) Castillo Pittamiglio (Pittamiglio Castle)
Pittamiglio Castle (Castillo Pittamiglio) is a distinctive and historic architectural marvel located on Francisco Vidal Street in the Punta Carretas neighborhood of Montevideo. This enigmatic building, which faces the city's seaside promenade, is particularly noted for its façade which features a replica of the Victory of Samothrace sculpture. Created by Italian-Uruguayan sculptor Pedro Piccioli, this piece symbolizes "the victory of life" and stands as a prominent landmark along the Montevideo coast.
The castle served as the residence of its architect, Humberto Pittamiglio, from 1911 until he died in 1966. Pittamiglio's approach to the construction of his home was highly unconventional; he continually added to the building from the time he purchased the land in 1910 and maintained that it would never be completed. This philosophy underscored his belief in life as a continual journey, akin to a never-ending boat trip, and reflected his deep interest in alchemy, suggesting that the process of building was metaphorically linked to the alchemical transformation.
The interior of the castle is a labyrinth of mystique, featuring narrow corridors, doors that lead nowhere, blind windows, and rooms of irregular shapes. These peculiar architectural choices are imbued with various esoteric symbols including alchemical, Christian, Templar, Rosicrucian, and Masonic motifs, contributing to the building’s aura of mystery and its myriad of legends. Among these tales, there are accounts that the castle once safeguarded the Holy Grail from 1944 to 1956, and rumors of occult activities and enigmatic behaviors of its owner, who was said to wander the boulevard at night draped in a red cloak.
Today, Pittamiglio Castle is not only a piece of architectural and historical significance but also serves as a vibrant cultural hub. It houses a restaurant, a museum, and a cultural space, offering visitors a unique glimpse into its rich history through guided tours. This multifaceted approach ensures that Pittamiglio Castle remains a key attraction in Montevideo, inviting exploration and interpretation from tourists and locals alike.
The castle served as the residence of its architect, Humberto Pittamiglio, from 1911 until he died in 1966. Pittamiglio's approach to the construction of his home was highly unconventional; he continually added to the building from the time he purchased the land in 1910 and maintained that it would never be completed. This philosophy underscored his belief in life as a continual journey, akin to a never-ending boat trip, and reflected his deep interest in alchemy, suggesting that the process of building was metaphorically linked to the alchemical transformation.
The interior of the castle is a labyrinth of mystique, featuring narrow corridors, doors that lead nowhere, blind windows, and rooms of irregular shapes. These peculiar architectural choices are imbued with various esoteric symbols including alchemical, Christian, Templar, Rosicrucian, and Masonic motifs, contributing to the building’s aura of mystery and its myriad of legends. Among these tales, there are accounts that the castle once safeguarded the Holy Grail from 1944 to 1956, and rumors of occult activities and enigmatic behaviors of its owner, who was said to wander the boulevard at night draped in a red cloak.
Today, Pittamiglio Castle is not only a piece of architectural and historical significance but also serves as a vibrant cultural hub. It houses a restaurant, a museum, and a cultural space, offering visitors a unique glimpse into its rich history through guided tours. This multifaceted approach ensures that Pittamiglio Castle remains a key attraction in Montevideo, inviting exploration and interpretation from tourists and locals alike.