Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo
Encyclopedia
Ciudad Vieja is the name of the oldest part of the city
of Montevideo
, capital city of Uruguay
. Nowadays, Ciudad Vieja is a barrio
(neighbourhood or district) of this city. In the last couple of years it has gone through a major transformation that has made it the main nightlife centre in town. It is in this area where most of the nightclubs are, and also it hosts the 'Mercado del Puerto' a traditional venue for Uruguayan food and beverages. The main port of Uruguay (being the main Big Draft port in southern South America) is located in Ciudad Vieja.
Part of this transformation is due to the campaign made by the mayor
since this part of the city had been in a state of abandonment for decades.
of this part of town. Some streets remind the presence of the wall, like Ciudadela (citadel
) or Brecha (breach), which has this name due to the fact that it was near but at this point that the British managed to open a breach on the wall during the 1807 British invasion. The old street Sarandí was turned into a pedestrian walkway in 1992, which increased its commercial and tourist attractiveness. In 2005 it was extended to beyond the Constitution Square.
Ciudad Vieja has the most beautiful buildings from the colonial era and the first decades of independence. The Cabildo
(built between 1804 and 1812), the Solís Theatre
, the Metropolitan Cathedral
and several museums, like the Museo Torres García
are among the most impressive ones. Also several design shops and recycled loft floors flourish in the streets near the port.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
of Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, capital city of Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. Nowadays, Ciudad Vieja is a barrio
Barrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
(neighbourhood or district) of this city. In the last couple of years it has gone through a major transformation that has made it the main nightlife centre in town. It is in this area where most of the nightclubs are, and also it hosts the 'Mercado del Puerto' a traditional venue for Uruguayan food and beverages. The main port of Uruguay (being the main Big Draft port in southern South America) is located in Ciudad Vieja.
Part of this transformation is due to the campaign made by the mayor
Municipal Intendent of Montevideo
The Municipal Intendant of Montevideo is the highest ranking official in the government of Montevideo. It is elected every five years after the presidential elections.- List of Intendents of Montevideo :#Daniel Muñoz...
since this part of the city had been in a state of abandonment for decades.
Early history
Until 1829 it was surrounded by a wall that protected it from possible invasions, though the defences. After the wall was torn down, the only part of it that was kept was its gateway, which is up to this day an emblemEmblem
An emblem is a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept — e.g., a moral truth, or an allegory — or that represents a person, such as a king or saint.-Distinction: emblem and symbol:...
of this part of town. Some streets remind the presence of the wall, like Ciudadela (citadel
Citadel
A citadel is a fortress for protecting a town, sometimes incorporating a castle. The term derives from the same Latin root as the word "city", civis, meaning citizen....
) or Brecha (breach), which has this name due to the fact that it was near but at this point that the British managed to open a breach on the wall during the 1807 British invasion. The old street Sarandí was turned into a pedestrian walkway in 1992, which increased its commercial and tourist attractiveness. In 2005 it was extended to beyond the Constitution Square.
Ciudad Vieja has the most beautiful buildings from the colonial era and the first decades of independence. The Cabildo
Montevideo Cabildo
The Montevideo Cabildo is the public building in Montevideo that was used as the government house during the colonial times of the Viceroyalty of the River Plate. Today the building is used as a museum and houses the Historical Archive of the city. It is located on Constitution Square, in Ciudad...
(built between 1804 and 1812), the Solís Theatre
Solís Theatre
Solis Theatre is Uruguay's oldest theatre. It was built in 1856 and is currently owned by the government of Montevideo. It is located in Plaza Independencia ....
, the Metropolitan Cathedral
Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral
The Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church of Montevideo. It is located right in front of the Cabildo across Constitution Square, in Ciudad Vieja. The origin of the church dates from 1740, when a church constructed of brick was built on the site. In 1790, the...
and several museums, like the Museo Torres García
Museo Torres García
The Museo Torres García is located in the historic Ciudad Vieja of Montevideo where unusual portraits of historical icons and cubist paintings akin to Picasso's paintings, painted by Joaquin Torres García are exhibited...
are among the most impressive ones. Also several design shops and recycled loft floors flourish in the streets near the port.
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