Stone arch
And a small bell.
Fatima Cáneba — CC BY-SA 3.0 · seretide — CC BY 2.0 · Rodrigo Pereira da S… — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jeepika — CC BY-SA 3.0
A massive stone gateway, the last surviving piece of the Spanish citadel that guarded Montevideo in the eighteenth century when the city was walled. The walls were pulled down in the nineteenth century as the city grew, leaving the gate alone as a witness to that era. Today it stands between Plaza Independencia and the old town, with a heavy stone arch, columns and a small bell on top, and people pass through it from the modern square with its towers to pedestrian Calle Sarandí, as if crossing from one age into another. The view is lovely from both sides: from the square the gate frames the old town's streets, and from inside the arch frames the Palacio Salvo and palms. The gate is lit at night. The visit is short, so combine it with Plaza Independencia, the Teatro Solís and the old town. Montevideo is fairly calm, but watch your belongings in the old town at night and in crowded spots.
And a small bell.
Into the old town.
On the gate.
West side of Plaza Independencia, at the start of Calle Sarandí
Plaza IndependenciaMontevideo's most important square, dividing the old town from the modern centre1 minute walk
Teatro SolísUruguay's leading theatre and one of South America's oldest, opened in 1856, wit2 minutes walk4.7
Palacio SalvoMontevideo's emblem, a huge ornate tower about a hundred metres tall on Plaza In3 minutes walk4.4
Ciudad Vieja (Old Town)Montevideo's oldest district, on a small peninsula between the bay and the wide 7 minutes walk
Palacio Taranco (Museum of Decorative Arts)An elegant French-style palace in the old town, built between 1908 and 1910 for 9 minutes walk4.8The last remnant of the eighteenth-century Spanish citadel walls, leading from Plaza Independencia into the old town.