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  • UNESCO

The rise of Uruguay

January 13, 2019 | Michael Turtle | 4 Comments

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Colonia del Sacramento

A waiter calls out to me as I walk down one of Colonia’s many cobblestone streets.

The well-dressed Uruguayan is holding out a glass of wine, trying to entice me into the restaurant.

“Come, try. Wine for you.”

It’s a tempting offer after walking through the heat for the past couple of hours but I politely decline. I’ve got more to see and there are plenty of restaurants for tourists here – this has always been a city of travellers.

Colonia del Sacramento (as it’s officially named) is the oldest city in Uruguay, established in the 17th century across the river from Buenos Aires.

For much of its existence it’s been an important international port and its ownership has changed a dozen times (between Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Uruguay).

Colonia Del Sacramento, World Heritage Site, Uruguay

Colonia Del Sacramento, World Heritage Site, Uruguay

The memories of this unstable past can still be seen in the historic section of Colonia.

The city gate, drawbridge, lighthouse and basilica are all about two centuries old. Surrounding each of them are the small houses that have been built over the years- quaint and colourful, sometimes with metal lattice trims or wall-hugging plants.

The rough streets aren’t made for cars and many have been dedicated to pedestrians these days.

Colonia Del Sacramento, World Heritage Site, Uruguay

Colonia Del Sacramento, World Heritage Site, Uruguay

Fishermen sit by the water’s edge near where some teenage boys are swimming and sunbaking on the rocks…

Elderly women carry shopping from the small markets, while others sit in cafes and let time amble by…

And through the everyday life, tourists walk with cameras in hands.

Uruguay’s place in South America

In 1995, this part of Colonia del Sacramento was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s an important symbol for Uruguay, a country that respects its past but is putting more focus on its future than most of the continent.

Colonia Del Sacramento, World Heritage Site, Uruguay

Colonia Del Sacramento, World Heritage Site, Uruguay

Uruguay has become one of the most economically developed countries in South America, consistently topping measures of human development and prosperity. It was one of only two countries on the continent not to go into recession during the GFC.

Uruguay is also proving to be very progressive with its politics. It was the first South American country to legalise same-sex civil unions and gay adoption, it was the first country in the world to give every school student a free laptop and internet, and the majority of its military is deployed on UN peacekeeping missions.

Colonia Del Sacramento, World Heritage Site, Uruguay

Colonia Del Sacramento, World Heritage Site, Uruguay

Colonia is a reminder that the destiny of a country is controlled by its people, not by its rulers.

But when those two groups align, it’s possible to rise above those around.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here. You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Rease |

    January 4, 2012 at 9:27 am

    Reply

    I seriously cannot stand Colonia. I know everyone loves it and thinks it´s this charming, wonderful place but I find it insufferably boring.

    • Turtle |

      January 5, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Reply

      That’s funny you say that. It is kind of boring, in a sense. There’s not a lot to do except wander around and pretend to enjoy architecture. But it’s still a very pretty and quaint place!

  2. Candice Michelle |

    January 4, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    Reply

    What it is right now is a place of beauty and it is gradually becoming a place worth visiting. I’m looking forward to going there. Some day in my life, I will be able to witness the Uruguay experience.

    • Turtle |

      January 5, 2012 at 8:42 am

      Reply

      You should definitely check it out Candice!

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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