Architecture of Uruguay

The architecture of Uruguay is influenced by the country's gentle geography, its relatively recent history, and its melting-pot culture, bearing a strong European imprint. ^{[1] [2]}

Overview

No significant architectural remains was left of the ancient native cultures. Beginning with the Spanish colonisation could be seen the very beginnings of local construction; but the establishment of populated places took a long time compared with Argentina and other neighboring regions. Santo Domingo Soriano, the oldest locality, was established as a mission in 1624; Colonia del Sacramento, a Portuguese outpost, in 1680; and the future capital city, Montevideo, in 1726, taking advantage of its namesake bay, a natural harbour. Notable examples of early architecture in Uruguay are the ruins of Saint Francis Xavier Convent in Colonia, San Miguel Fort, Santa Teresa Fortress, Saint Charles Church, the Cathedral and Cabildo of Montevideo.

Population growth was slow: in 1800 there were 30,000 people in the whole territory; thirty years later, when the country was officially established as a republic, there were just 70,000 inhabitants (of which, 14,000 in Montevideo). Many people in the countryside chose to build huts in straw and mud, and urban houses were very simple. At the same time, the country was in a permanent state of civil unrest; this meant that progress in construction was slow. Some works were destroyed in wars, such as the Basilica of Paysandú during a siege in 1865 (it was later rebuilt). ^[3]

From the mid-19th century onwards, architecture began showing its splendour; several foreign architects, especially from Italy and France, brought their European styles and knowledge. A magnificent example of this time is the Solís Theatre, actually an opera house (Carlo Zucchi, 1856). In 1888 the University of the Republic included architecture among its degree programs; it got an extra boost some decades afterwards thanks to the French professor Joseph Carré. Many notable professionals graduated from the School of Architecture and started a notable development process of the built environment. Some architects worth mentioning are: Alfredo Jones Brown (Alfredo Vásquez Acevedo Institute, 1911), Juan Antonio Scasso ^[4] (Estadio Centenario, 1930), Juan Aubriot (Edificio Lapido, 1933), Carlos Surraco (Hospital Clinic Manuel Quintela, 1928-1953), Mauricio Cravotto ^[4] (Montevideo City Hall, 1947), Raúl Sichero (Edificio Panamericano, 1964). Some had international projection: Julio Vilamajó ^[5] was an external consultant for the building of the United Nations headquarters (1947) ^[4] ; Román Fresnedo Siri ^[4] designed the PAHO Headquarters in Washington, DC (1965); Carlos Ott built the Opéra Bastille in Paris (1989).

Nowadays, Uruguay is a showcase of different architectural styles, combining high-tech skyscrapers, discreet Art-Deco family houses, historical eclectic buildings, and hidden treasures from colonial times.

Cityscape

Urban planning has also played an important role in Uruguay. Since colonial times, in accordance with the Laws of the Indies, ^[6] cities were laid out in a grid pattern, which is seen everywhere in cities and towns.

Later on, large green spaces, the French landscape architects Carlos Thays and Charles Racine designed notable parks and squares, notably the Parque Rodó. ^[7] Important avenues such as the Artigas Boulevard ^[8] gave Montevideo the appearance of a big city. High-end homes also play an important part in this sense. ^[9]

However, cities in Uruguay are already familiar with the regional issue of shanty towns, popularly known as cantegril , from the end of the 20th century onwards. ^[10]

World Heritage

Uruguay is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• the old city of Colonia del Sacramento,
• Fray Bentos industrial landscape,
• Iglesia de Cristo Obrero y Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Atlántida.

There are other places included in the UNESCO tentative list:

• Rambla of Montevideo, promenade along the coastline of the River Plate, stretching 22 kilometers. ^[11]

See also

• List of tallest buildings in Uruguay

Gallery

• 
  Saint Francis Xavier Convent, Colonia del Sacramento, ca. 1680.
• 
  Holy Sacrament Basilica, Colonia del Sacramento, 1680/1810/1841.
• 
  Solís Theatre, architect Carlo Zucchi, inaugurated in 1856.
• 
  Club Uruguay, engineer Luigi Andreoni, ^[12] inaugurated in 1888.
• 
  Legislative Palace of Uruguay, architects Vittorio Meano ^[13] and Gaetano Moretti, inaugurated in 1925.
• 
  Saint Elizabeth's parish church in Paso de los Toros, architects Elzeario Boix and Horacio Terra Arocena, built in 1926. ^[14]
• 
  Palacio Salvo, architect Mario Palanti, ^[15] completed in 1928.
• 
  Church of Atlántida, engineer Eladio Dieste, ^[16] consecrated in 1960.
• 
  Susana Soca chapel, architect Antoni Bonet i Castellana, ^[16] finished in 1966.
• 
  Telecommunications Tower, architect Carlos Ott, completed in 2002. ^[17]
• 
  New terminal of Carrasco International Airport, architect Rafael Viñoly, ^[18] inaugurated in 2009.

Bibliography

• "Guia Arquitectonica y Urbanistica de Montevideo" (PDF) (in Spanish). Universidad de la República. 2010. p. 35. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
• Lucchini, Aurelio (1969). Ideas y formas en la arquitectura nacional (in Spanish). Vol. 6. Montevideo: Colección Nuestra Tierra.
• Lucchini, Aurelio (1986). El Concepto de Arquitectura y su traducción a formas en el territorio que hoy pertenece a Uruguay (in Spanish). Montevideo: Universidad de la República.
• Ollero Lobato, Francisco; Rey Ashfield, William; Cebey Pariz, Soledad; Rimbaud Blengini, Tatiana (2025). Nuevas poblaciones en la banda oriental 1780 – 1805 (in Spanish). Colección Plural, CSIC, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.

References

1. Anderson, Mark; Marino, Beatrice; Singh, Anika. "Architecture of Uruguay". Design+Encyclopedia. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
2. "The Architecture of Uruguay: Mate, Soccer and Architecture". Architectours. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
3. "Historia de la Basílica de Paysandú" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
4. Cibils, Camila (1 October 2017). "Los diez arquitectos uruguayos a descubrir". El Observador (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 August 2025.
5. "Museo Casa Vilamajó" (PDF). Universidad de la República, Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
6. Recopilacion de leyes de los reynos de las Indias. Tomo Segundo (in Spanish). Madrid: Julián de Paredes. 1681.
7. Casal, Álvaro (27 November 2012). "Historia del Parque Rodó" (in Spanish). EL PAIS. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012.
8. "Montevideo, desde el paisaje sin límites a la ciudad novísima". Intendencia de Montevideo (in Spanish). 7 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
9. "Architectural Styles in Uruguay's High-End Homes: A Visual Journey". La Cité Real Estate. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
10. "El otro «éxodo» oriental: artículo sobre la expansión metropolitana en Uruguay". Anuarios El País Digital (in Spanish). 2001. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
11. "La Rambla, promenade maritime de Montevideo". UNESCO (in French). 6 May 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
12. "Club Uruguay". Nómada (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 January 2023.
13. "Víctor Meano, asesinado arquitecto de la democracia" [Victor Meano, assassinated architect of democracy]. viajes.elpais.com.uy (in Spanish). Legislative Palace. Archived from the original on 17 November 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
14. "Declaración de Monumento Histórico Nacional". Presidencia (in Spanish). 29 September 2002. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
15. "El Palacio Salvo: un abuelo casi centenario | Revista DOSSIER". revistadossier.com.uy (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 March 2025.
16. Porley, Carolina (28 April 2017). "The other creators". Brecha (in Spanish).
17. "Torre Antel". Skyscraperpage. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
18. BBC Mundo. "Los 10 aeropuertos más hermosos del grupo" (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 May 2014.