Museo de la Memoria (Uruguay) facts for kids
The Museo de la Memoria (which means Memory Museum), also known as MUME, is a special museum in Montevideo, Uruguay. It helps us remember people who suffered or went missing during a difficult time in Uruguay's history, from 1973 to 1985, when the country was ruled by a military government. The museum teaches us about this period and the brave people who fought for freedom.
What is the Memory Museum?
The Museo de la Memoria was created to honor people who faced unfair treatment during Uruguay's military rule. It also celebrates the courage of Uruguayans who stood up against this oppression.
Why is MUME important for young people?
The museum aims to teach new generations about Uruguay's recent past. It wants to promote respect for human rights for everyone. It also reminds us of the fight for freedom, democracy, and fairness in society. By doing this, MUME helps strengthen important parts of Uruguay's national identity.
When did the museum open?
The museum first opened its doors to the public on December 10, 2007. The city government of Montevideo runs it. You can find it about 9 kilometers from the center of Montevideo's old town.
What can you see at the museum?
The main exhibition at MUME focuses on seven important topics:
- How the military government started
- How people resisted and fought back
- Life for those held in prisons
- People who had to leave the country
- The "disappeared" people
- How democracy returned and the search for truth
- The ongoing story and new challenges for the future
History of the MUME Building
MUME is located in a historic building that dates back to 1878. It was first built as a country home for Máximo Santos, a Uruguayan soldier who later became president.
A National Historical Monument
Both the house and the park around it are now considered a National Historical Monument. The park is very special because it's the only 19th-century parkland in Montevideo that still looks the same as it did back then.
The building's unique style
The building has a mix of architectural styles. It's mostly built in a Neoclassical way, which means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. But it also has details from Art Nouveau, a style known for its curvy lines. The building also uses a "piano nobile," which is a raised ground floor. You reach it by climbing marble steps. Right before the steps, there's a fountain shaped like a boat. The main house is built in a horseshoe shape around a central courtyard with another decorative fountain.
Who lived here after Santos?
Máximo Santos ruled Uruguay from 1882 to 1886. After leaving office in 1887, he sold the property to Emilio Reus, a Spanish businessman. In 1920, Rezcala Neffa, a rich businessman from Lebanon, bought the house. Neffa became a Uruguayan citizen and was known for helping others. After buying the property, he gave it to the Uruguayan Navy. The Navy used the site for offices and workshops.
By the 1970s, the Navy no longer used the site, and it started to fall apart.
Restoring the historic site
In 2000, the city government of Montevideo, which now owned the site, began to restore the old buildings. A supermarket chain called Disco helped with the project by donating US$800,000. The goal was to create a new cultural center or museum. The restoration work was finished in 2005.
The Beautiful Parkland
The park around the museum also has a mix of styles. It takes ideas from Italian Renaissance gardens and 19th-century ideas about health. The main idea of a country retreat was to have a relaxing house with a beautiful garden to enjoy. Being far from the city center was thought to be healthier than being near the coast.
What can you find in the park?
The park is about 4 hectares in size. It has a long tree-lined path leading to the house. You can also find gardens with plants from other countries, a greenhouse, and a nursery. There's even a fun "folly" designed for children, which looks like a small castle! The park also features fountains, sculptures, artificial caves, and an aviary (a large cage for birds).
See also
In Spanish: Museo de la Memoria (Montevideo) para niños
