Portuguese stones
And rain gutter.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Banfield — CC BY-SA 2.5 ar · Proyecto Brown — CC BY 3.0
Colonia's best-known and most photographed street, a short, narrow lane sloping down to the Río de la Plata, paved with irregular stones and a central gutter for rainwater in the old Portuguese manner, lined with low eighteenth-century colonial houses with faded coloured walls and tiled roofs. Stories of its name, «Street of Sighs», vary: some say it was the sighs of condemned prisoners on their way to the river, others the sighs of lovers; the truth is uncertain, but its beauty is the real reason for its fame. At the end of the lane the wide river appears between the houses, with flowers and vines growing on the walls. It is crowded at midday and very quiet in the morning and before sunset. Mind the uneven stones and wear comfortable shoes. Colonia is about two and a half hours by bus from Montevideo and an hour or more by ferry from Buenos Aires, so many visit in a day.
And rain gutter.
Tiled roofs.
At the lane's end.
Historic quarter, between Plaza Mayor and the river, Colonia del Sacramento
Portón de Campo and the Walls of ColoniaThe old town's main gate, built by the Portuguese in 1745 in the walls that ring1 minute walk4.9
Colonia del Sacramento LighthouseAn elegant white lighthouse at the heart of the historic quarter, built in 1857 1 minute walk4.5
Historic Quarter of Colonia del SacramentoOne of South America's loveliest colonial towns, founded by the Portuguese in 162 minutes walkStories range from condemned prisoners to lovers, with no confirmed explanation, but it is Colonia's best-known street.