Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, harmoniously combines modernity and tradition. Ancient architectural treasures such as el Cabildo, the Iglesia Matriz (Matriz Church) and the Puerta de la Ciudadela (City Gate), styles such as Art Nouveau and Art Deco and cutting-edge modern buildings such as the Torre de las Comunicaciones (Communications Tower), give the city a unique identity.  The capital’s Rambla (waterfront promenade), providing access to over 30 km of coastline, is one of the main attributes of Montevideo and an unforgettable stroll for its inhabitants who frequently go there to drink ‘mate’ (South American style of tea) and go for long walks. In addition, the vast number of green spaces, parks and gardens also provide numerous outdoor options. Montevideo also has an extensive cultural scene. For example, its theatrical productions are remarkably extensive and varied, and include classic, modern and alternative shows.  In its museums, cultural centers and showrooms it is possible to appreciate the art of a wide range of internationally recognised artists such as Juan Manuel Blanes, Rafael Barradas, Pedro Figari, Joaquín Torres García, José Cúneo and Ignacio Iturria, among others.  In 2013, for the second time, Montevideo was named the Ibero-American Culture Capital by the Union of the Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI - Unión de Ciudades Capitales Iberoamericanas) and, therefore, a broad agenda has been scheduled in order to celebrate this distinction.

Its History

Montevideo was founded by the governor and captain of the Río de la Plata, Don Bruno Mauricio de Zabala. The foundational process of the city occurred between 1724 and 1730, during which time the earliest settlers began arriving from Buenos Aires and the Canary Islands. In 1833, a new layout was planned for the Ciudad Nueva (New City) which began to be fully implemented from 1861. Unlike the Ciudad Vieja (Old City), which was walled around its perimeter, the Ciudad Nueva had wide, tree-lined streets where sumptuous shops and large residences were located.