Top 4 Architectural Sights
- Palacio Salvo, Montevideo
- Colonia del Sacramento
- Mano de Punta del Este
- Casapueblo, Punta Ballena
The Palacio Salvo in Montevideo was built by the architect Mario Palanti in 1928. Originally it had a lighthouse on the roof and at a height of 328 feet it was thought to be the tallest building in South America. It was first intended to be a hotel but instead became a collection of grand residences and offices. Colonia del Sacramento is one of the oldest towns in Uruguay and certainly one of the most beautiful. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its Barrio Historico with its narrow cobbled streets attracts many visitors. Many more come to see the spectacular sunsets at the riverfront, where it is traditional to applaud as the sun goes down. Mano de Punta del Este is a sculpture in the coastal town of Punta del Este. Completed by the Chilean artist, Mario Irarrazabal, it depicts five human fingers emerging from the sands of Brava Beach and has become one of the most famous landmarks in Uruguay. Casapueblo is a building in Punta Ballena built by the Uruguayan artist, Carlos Paez Vilaro, and it originally served as his summer house and workshop. Thought to look like the houses of the Greek island of Santorini, its 13 floors perch on the coast of the Atlantic, offering spectacular views over the ocean.
Top 4 Natural Sights
- Laguna Merin
- Esteros de Farrapos
- Rincon de Franquia
- Localidad Rupestre de Chamanga
Laguna Merin is a lagoon between Brazil and Uruguay. It has been recognized by UNESCO as an important wetlands region and is home to numerous bird species. It is also a rice growing area and is the site of a major cattle ranch. Its beautiful beaches and warm, shallow water attract many tourists. Esteros de Farrapos is a national park in the south of Uruguay. It features a network of rivers and islands and is renowned for its diverse and unspoiled ecosystem. The park's swamps, fields and natural scrub are home to a huge range of wildlife, including many migrating birds and the rare maned wolf. Rincon de Franquia is a protected area between the Cuareim and Uruguay rivers by the city of Bella Union. It is focused on maintaining biodiversity and promoting ecotourism. It features virgin forests, grasslands and wetlands, with thousands of rare species of flora and fauna. Localidad Rupestre de Chamanga is renowned for its collection of more than 40 different rock paintings. The paintings are unique in having survived for thousands of years despite not being protected inside caves or under rock eaves.
Top Filming Locations
Montevideo provided the setting for the 2006 science fiction thriller, "Children of Men". The city also provided the backdrop for 2008's "Blindness", starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. Punta del Este, meanwhile, was the setting for the 2006 movie version of "Miami Vice".