Uruguay – History of Colonia del Sacramento
Spanish and Portuguese Historic Landmarks Along Río de la Plata
Jan 21, 2009
Visiting Colonia del Sacramento feels like a time warp: traveling back in time into the distant past. The town's turbulent history, during which it was alternately subject to the Spanish and Portuguese crown, left a rich legacy in historic landmarks. As a result, the Barrio Histórico [Historic Quarter] was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1995.
History of Colonia del Sacramento
In 1680 the Portuguese Admiral Manuel Lobo established Colonia del Sacramento by order of the Lisbon Court. It was a strategic point from where the Portuguese smuggled contraband into Buenos Aires, on the opposite bank of Río de la Plata – which belonged to Spain.
The geographical and political location of the town led to a hundred and fifty year long dispute between the Spanish and the Portuguese crowns and both powers ruled the town. This is for example still visible in the way the streets were constructed: the cobbled streets with a drain running in the middle were built by the Portuguese, the ones with drains along the sides by the Spaniards.
Historic Sights in Barrio Histórico [Historic Quarter]
The turbulent history and the preservation of ancient architecture have put Colonia del Sacramento high on the list of popular tourist towns. Besides a rich history, the town offers charm – ancient alleyways, plazas where sunlight filters through the plane trees, lovely painted houses with time-worn doors, outdoor cafés to enjoy a cup of coffee and a feeling of complete tranquillity.
The historic landmarks are all situated in the Barrio Histórico and easily visited on foot:
- Puerta de Campo: the City Gate and wooden drawbridge [1745], marking the entrance of the historic district.
- Calle de los Suspiros [Street of Sighs]: a narrow cobbled alley oozing secrets and legends.
- Ruins of the 17th century Convento de San Francisco.
- El Faro, the lighthouse [1857], constructed with the stones of Convento de San Francisco.
- Iglesia Matriz: Uruguay's oldest church [1699].
Historic Museums in Barrio Histórico
Details of Colonia del Sacramento's history are collected in several museums:
- El Museo Portugués [18th century] on Plaza Mayor: exhibition of Portuguese furnishings, uniforms and maritime maps.
- El Museo Municipal on Plaza Mayor: displays furnishings and other artifacts of colonial life.
- El Museo de los Azulejos [17th century]: colonial tile-work.
- El Museo Español [corner España and San José]: colonial pottery, clothing and maps.
The museums are open daily from 11am-5pm.
Visiting Colonia del Sacramento by Buquebus
The town is easily visited on a daytrip from Buenos Aires, although the abundance of hostels and hotels makes it easy to linger and stay longer than planned. The most popular and easy way to get to Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires is by Buquebus, a ferry that plies between both towns several times a day. Remember to bring your passport because you're entering a different country. Customs formalities are at the ferry port in Buenos Aires. The Buquebus offers a "buque rapido", which takes fifty minutes one-way, or a slow crossing [about three hours one way].
Cultural Highlights in and Around Colonia del Sacramento
West of Colonia del Sacramento lie more picturesque villages, like Carmen and Conchillas. On the other side of Río de la Plata, on Argentinean soil, there are many interesting places to visit as well. Check out Luján, an important town of pilgrimage, or Rosario, for a walk along its historic buildings.
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