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 Isla
Gorriti. (Island)
- In front of Maldonado bay, 2 km
from Punta del Este, is the "Gorriti" Island.
It still has rests of the colonial fortifications from the
Spanish domination time. The Spanish named it "La Campana",
and its main objective was to protect the Island against
pirates and sailormen who used it as a refuge. It has two
beautiful beaches with transparent and quiet waters, "Puerto
Jardin" and "Honda" beach, where the vessels
that come to the Resort as well as tours that part from
"Punta del Este" cast anchor
Isla de Lobos. (Wolves Island)
- It is 8 k from Punta del Este and it constitutes one
of the biggest sea wolf reserves in the world. There, two
species of sea wolves grow up and reproduce, the fine and
the sea lion. Today there are more than 180 000 individuals.
The beacon of 50 meters high, built in 1906 has a reach
of 22,5 nautical miles and is a point or reference for the
sailormen.
Las Cumbres.- This is a place of beautiful landscapes
where the winding road let us perceive an unforgettable
picture where lagoons, woods and The "Rio de la Plata"
melt far away with the towers of Punta del Este. At the
top is located the inn, a hotel and a restaurant.
 Casapueblo.-
This is a monumental architectonic creation of the Uruguayan
artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. Its spontaneous
construction done during 36 years with great effort with
his own hands, is internationally considered as an inhabitable
monument. The mentioned artist has there his own atelier
and there is a permanent show of his paints, sculptures
and ceramics in large saloons that face the sea from the
high steeps of Punta Ballena. Visits can be paid from the
sunrise until de sunset. This atelier organizes concerts,
conferences and book presentations with a varied program
of audiovisuals in a mini movie. Casapueblo is one of the
Peninsula symbols. Its sunset ceremony is famous and its
attendance is very important every year. The visitors enjoy
having tea in the little artists bar, placed on one of the
terraces over the ocean. This is a really magic attraction
and constitutes an unavoidable visit for those who come
to Uruguay.
Grutas de la Ballena.- These
are natural caves in the east side of Punta Ballena, used
as a refuge by sailormen. Here many generations of visitants
spent good moments. Many years ago, a discotheque functioning
inside the cave itself rendered it famous. At the east side
there is an excellent beach of quiet waters and thick sand,
a well-known inn with bar and restaurant service.
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Historical Places.-
"Torre del Vigia": The "Torre del Vigía"
is located on the plaza known with this same name in Maldonado
city. Rafael Pérez del Puerto supervised its construction
from 1797 to 1799. It was built with bricks, rectangular shaped,
with a base of 5 meters broad and 13 meters high. It has a
balcony with an iron banister around it at the top. From this
high point it was possible to have a large overview of the
Rio de la Plata estuary.
"Marco de los Reyes" It is placed in the
middle fo the "Torre del Vigia" Plaza. It was brought
from "Sierra de Carapé" where it was buried
after General Ceballos had ordered to destroy it. It was made
with white and pink marble from Lisboa and was used in 1753
to point the separation line between the territories of Spain
and Portugal, following the Treaty of Madrid of 1750.
"Cuartel de Dragones" It was design by Bartolomé
Howell fro Spain and built with well carved stone and roof
made of straw, from march 1771 to 1797, with a surface of
2,500 m2 (a whole square). It was popularly known as "Cuartel
de Dragones" or "de Blandengues", remembering
the principal military groups that once lodged in it. Here,
our main Hero General José Artigas started his military
career on March 10, 1750.
"La Capilla" In the southeast corner of the
fort is the Chapel that was inaugurated on February 2, 1801
by the priest Damaso Góez de Fonseca. During the attack
and defense in times of the English occupation, the Chapel
suffered the smallest damages. It was restored and is now
a museum
"Catedral de San Fernando" This Cathedral
was declared as a National Historical Monument.
"Cachimba del Rey" It is found in Maldonado
city heart. His denomination is due to the fact that this
well was used to provide water to the city since the beginning
of its foundation.
"Faro de Punta del Este" Tomas Libarena built
this beacon which began functioning on November 17, 1860.
The material used in its construction was from volcanic origin,
brought from Rome. It has 43 meters high and the crystal prisms
of its illumination system were brought fro France. It works
with electric energy. A winding staircase with 150 steps leads
you to the top. |
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Museo Didáctico Artiguista It
is Maldonado, R.P. del Puerto and 18 de Julio street. Phone
number: 22.53.78 -
It was known as "Cuartel de Blandengues" o "Cuartel
de Dragones" and it is the most important colonial building.
Its entry is free.
Azotea de Haedo It is in Maldonado, on Bulevar Artivas
and Mercedes street. Phone number: 22.32.78.- Victor Haedo
built his home in Maldonado, in an old main ranch construction.
Inside it is a museum where are stored and showed unique pieces
of the National Wealth, as for example a tea service dishes
belonging to Don Manuel Oribe with the first National Shield,
Barradas and Blanes Viale paintings, etc. Entrance is free.
Museo Arboreum Lussich It is in Punta Ballena, on "Camino
Lussich". Phone number 57.80.77. It is the seventh forest
reserve in the world and the most important in South America.
There are more than 300 exotic species gathered by Antonio
Lussich, who founded the museum. It is placed in the family
house property. Entrance is free.
Museo regional de Maldonado "R. Francisco Mazzoni".
It is in Maldonado: Ituzaingó street, 789 and 18 de
Julio. Phone number: 57.80.77. It is considered on of the
most attractive nooks in the city. It is in a Patrician big
house which original structure was built at the end of the
XVIII century. It has stylish garnitures, a valuable picture
gallery as well as numerous pieces that represent the history
of this region. Entrance is free.
Museo de Arte Americano de Maldonado. It is in Maldonado,
Treinta y Tres street and Dodera street. Phone number: 22.22.76.
It has national and international pre-Columbian and Iberian
American art pieces collections. Jorge Páez Vilaró
made of it a museum
Museo Fundación Rally It is in quarter "Beverly
Hills"- Curupay and Los Arayanes: Phone number: 48.34.76.
It shows contemporaneous National and International Artists
Pictures. Entrance is free.
Centro Cultural Pueblo Blanco It is in Punta del Este,
on "De los Médanos" Avenue and "Sierra
Pedragosa" Phone number: 48.33.74. There is a Summer
University, an Art Gallery and MERCOSUR artists pieces show.
The University offers paid courses and seminaries as well
as free entrance conferences. It works only in summer station.
Museo Siglo XX It is on Route 9, km 123.750. Phone
number: 66.64.99 - 66.76.70.
It is locates in the Agro Touristic Complex "XX Century".
It shows an important car collection from years 20s to 50s,
radios, old "Vitrolas", watches, posters and any
other objects from that time. |
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