Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Montevideo's largest downtown plaza commemorates independence hero José Artigas
remains. Other notable structures surrounding the plaza include the stone gateway
remnant of the colonial citadel demolished in 1833); the 19th-century
Palacio Estévez
GOOGLE MAP
, once the continent's tallest building when it opened in 1927; it's a clas-
sic Montevideo landmark, but not open for tourist visits.
Museo del Gaucho
MUSEUM
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 2900-8764; Av 18 de Julio 998; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri)
Housed in the ornate Pala-
cio Heber, this museum displays a superb collection of historical gaucho artifacts, includ-
ing horse gear, silver work, and
mates
and
bombillas
(metal straws with filters, used for
drinking
mate
; a bitter ritual tea) in whimsical designs.
North of Centro
Museo Blanes
MUSEUM
( 2336-2248; blanes.montevideo.gub.uy; Av Millán 4015; 12:15-5:45pm Tue-Sat, 2-7:30pm
Sun)
Housed in an old mansion in the suburb of Prado, this museum shows the
work of Uruguay's most famous painter, Juan Manuel Blanes.
Torre Antel
TOWER
( 2928-4417; Guatemala 1075; tours 3:30-5pm Mon, Wed & Fri, 10:30am-noon Tue & Thu)
For great views out across the city, take the elevator to the top of Montevideo's
most dramatic modern skyscraper.
Palacio Legislativo
HISTORIC BUILDING
( 2924-1783;
www.parlamento.gub.uy
; Av Libertador General Lavalleja)
Dating from 1908, and
still playing host to Uruguay's Asamblea General (legislative branch), the three-story
neoclassical Parliament building is also open for guided tours (UR$60) at 10:30am and
3pm Monday to Friday.