A favorite destination for Brazilians, Colonia del Sacramento, in Uruguay, has a privileged location and many attractions, which explains its success in the touristic sector. Situated only an hour away by ferry from Buenos Aires, and two hours away by car from Montevideo, the country’s capital, the lovely city, restored and constantly preserved since 1969, offers beaches, museums, and 12 hectares of historical streets along the margins of the La Plata River, in the Peninsula of San Gabriel.
It was in 1969 that an Honorary Executive Council dedicated itself to the historical preservation of the old city, from digging to recuperate ancient historical objects, to renaming the city’s streets. The Council also restored the facades and interiors of mansions and churches, as well as rebuilding the walls and the City Gate, one of the town’s symbols, with the original building stones. All of this was rewarded in 1995, when UNESCO, after a technical evaluation, designated it a World Heritage Site.
The UNESCO report praises the Spanish and Portuguese traditions restored by the government, characteristic of frontier settlements, from inhabitants to urban traits. Besides the charm and beauty of Colonia del Sacramento, the temperate climate, with an average temperature of 18⁰ C , is an invitation for walks along the La Plata River, discovering the small and peaceful town.
Both for local inhabitants and visitors one thing is sure: there’s no need to plan an itinerary, since everything is intuitive and natural, wherever you go. There’s always a place to discover, or a new façade, whether your destination is the beach, a museum, cafés, restaurants, or a cozy square. To have an exact notion of the town’s beauty, climb up to the Lighthouse and see Colonia from above, amidst the ruins of the San Francisco Convent.
People who live in Colonia can’t understand some of their visitors: the ones that take the ferry trip from Buenos Aires to Uruguay and, because of the schedule, return to Argentina before nightfall. This is because they miss one of the greatest attractions of the Uruguayan city: its incredible sunset. The poetic sight can be enjoyed from several places, especially from Muella Viejo, in the Bastion del Carmo Cultural Center, or from the Paseo de San Gabriel balustrade. That is, those tourists will never understand the pleasure of living in beautiful, peaceful Colonia.
