Montevideo, Uruguay

Montevideo is the very lively capital of Uruguay. It is a stylish city with a strong European feel to it. The city was founded in 1726 on a promontory between the Rio del Plata and an inner bay This area is known as the Ciudad Vieja and is the area of main interest for visitors.

The heart of the old city is in the Plaza de la Constitucion. On one side is the Cathedral and the historic Cabildo. Opposite of the Cathedral is the Museo Historico Nacional. On the south side is a quite unusual fountain dating from 1881 with an inscription in Spanish that contains a few spelling errors.

Just west along the Calle Rincon is the Plaza Zabala with a monument to the founder of the city, Bruno Mauricio de Zabala. Three blocks north of here and you are in the docks, three blocks south and you are on the rambla Francia, on the Rio del Plata.

Heading east via the pedestrian Calle Sarandi, you enter the new city after crossing the Plaza de la Independencia. This is the biggest Plaza of the city. In it you will find the mausoleum of Artigas, the Casa de Gobierno Historico and the Palacio Salvo.

Other places of interest are the coastline of white sand beaches, that are almost along the whole city

There are several parks. The two most remarkable are the park "El Prado" and the park "Batlle".

The "Cerro" is a hill opposite the Old City from wich a wonderful view of the city can be enjoyed.

The "Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales" near the Rodó Park and the "Museo Municipal de Artes Plásticas" near the park "El Prado", are a must see for art lovers.

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