City Hall of Montevideo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Palacio Municipal
General information
Type	City administrative building
Address	18 de Julio Avenue
Town or city	Centro, Montevideo
Country	Uruguay
Coordinates	34°54′20″S 56°11′3″W / 34.90556°S 56.18417°W / -34.90556; -56.18417
Groundbreaking	1935
Completed	1941
Inaugurated	July 16, 1941
Height	78 metres
Design and construction
Architect	Mauricio Cravotto

The Palacio Municipal de Montevideo is like the main office building for the city of Montevideo in Uruguay. It's often called the City Hall. This important building is where the city's government, led by the Mayor, works. You can find it on 18 de Julio Avenue in the Centro neighborhood. A famous Uruguayan architect named Mauricio Cravotto designed it.

In the 1930s, city leaders decided they needed a new building. They wanted a place for the city's main offices and lawmakers. This new building was planned for land that used to be an old English Cemetery. The area in front of the City Hall is a popular spot. People often gather there to watch big events, like Uruguayan national football team matches on a giant screen.

Building History

Virtual recreation of Cravotto's original project.

Construction of the Palacio Municipal started in 1935. It officially opened on July 16, 1941. The building you see today is a bit different from the first plans made in 1929. The original design had a much taller main tower, planned to be 114 meters high. This would have made it the tallest building in Montevideo.

However, because of money reasons, the tower was built only 78 meters tall. This meant it was the second tallest building, after the Palacio Salvo. The first plans also included brick on the outside, which wasn't added. The parts of the building on the sides, the underground area, and the garage were built later. Even though it's not the tallest, its location on a hill makes it look very impressive.

What's Inside and Around

In front of the main entrance, you can see a large bronze copy of Michelangelo's famous statue of David. The main hall of the building often hosts cool art shows and cultural events. On the right side, there's another copy of a famous statue, the Nike of Samothrace.

The west side of the building is home to the Museum of History of Art. This museum lets you explore art from different times. The Municipal Centre of Photography is also here. It has a huge collection of old photos of Montevideo. You can even get copies of these pictures!

At the back of the building, there's an outdoor elevator. It can take you up to the 22nd floor. From there, you can visit a city observatory and enjoy amazing views of Montevideo. Also at the back is the office that manages the city's cemeteries.

Gallery

See also

In Spanish: Palacio Municipal (Montevideo) para niños