Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ciudad Vieja
Historic City Centre
Constitution Square and the Metropolitan Cathedral
Street map of Ciudad Vieja
Location of Ciudad Vieja in Montevideo
Country	Uruguay
Department	Montevideo Department
City	Montevideo

Ciudad Vieja (which means Old City in Spanish) is a really old and important part of Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay. It sits on a small piece of land that sticks out into the water, right at the entrance of Montevideo's natural harbor.

This area was started in 1724 by the Spanish Empire. Back then, it was a city surrounded by a strong wall to protect it. After Uruguay became an independent country, Montevideo grew very quickly. Ciudad Vieja stayed as one of the main areas. Today, it's a busy place with many offices, banks, and important organizations. It's also a big draw for tourists because of its amazing history and beautiful old buildings.

A Look Back: History of Ciudad Vieja

Until 1829, Ciudad Vieja was completely surrounded by a tall wall. This wall kept the city safe from possible attacks. When the city grew bigger, the wall was taken down. But one important part was saved: the main gate to the old fortress. This gate is still standing today and is a famous symbol of Montevideo.

Some street names in Ciudad Vieja remind people of the old wall. For example, "Ciudadela" means citadel (a strong fortress). Another street is called "Brecha," which means breach or gap. This name comes from a time in 1807 when British invaders managed to break through the wall to enter the city. They briefly took over before they were defeated.

Ciudad Vieja Today: A Lively Place

The main street in Ciudad Vieja is called Sarandí. In 1992, this street was made into a pedestrian walkway, meaning only people can walk there, no cars. This made the area much more popular for shopping and tourism. In 2005, the walkway was made even longer, going past the Constitution Square.

Ciudad Vieja has many beautiful buildings that are very old. Some of them date back to the time when Uruguay was a Spanish colony or when it first became independent.

• The Cabildo was built between 1804 and 1812. It was an important government building.
• The Solís Theatre is a grand old theater.
• The Metropolitan Cathedral is a very important church.
• There are also several interesting museums, like the Museo Torres García.

Besides these historic spots, you can find many cool design shops and modern apartments (called "lofts") in the streets close to the port.

Important Buildings to See

Here are some of the notable buildings you can find in Ciudad Vieja:

• Bolsa de Valores de Montevideo (Montevideo Stock Exchange)
• Cabildo de Montevideo (Old colonial government building)
• Mercado del Puerto (Port Market, famous for food)
• Palacio Taranco (A beautiful palace)
• Central Bank of Uruguay
• Solís Theatre (One of the most important theaters in Uruguay)
• Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. Philip and St. James (The main Roman Catholic church)
• Parish Church of St. Francis of Assisi (A Roman Catholic church)
• Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Vincent Pallotti (Another Roman Catholic church)
• Cathedral of The Most Holy Trinity, also known as the English Temple (An Anglican church)
• Sephardic Jewish Community (A Synagogue)

Gallery

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  The Gateway of Ciudadela, was the entrance to the fortress of Montevideo

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  Street in the Ciudad Vieja

See also

In Spanish: Ciudad Vieja (Montevideo) para niños

• Montevideo
• Colonia del Sacramento
• Barrios of Montevideo