Foundation of Montevideo

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Foundation of Montevideo
Governor and Captain General of the River Plate,
Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, founded Montevideo. In
response to the growing influence of the
Portuguese in the River Plate area the Spanish
first established a citadel in the sheltered port
of Montevideo in 1726. The city blocks were set
out according to the Laws of Indies in a
Northeast-Southwest orientation and at right
angles.
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Image of the Old city of Montevideo
A wall surrounded the city with the citadel
(Ciudadela) in what today is the western end of
Independence Square.
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Montevideo, the port
Map of Montevideo, the Old city and the new
territories
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An advantageous port
Images of the port of Montevideo
Images of the port of Montevideo
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Military threats to the new city
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For most of the 19th century, Montevideños had
to contend with political and military threats
from their neighbours and economic manipulation
by Britain. From 1838 until 1851, the city
suffered almost constant sieges from the
Argentine dictator Rosas, who was determined to
set up a small client state in Montevideo.  
Defensive constructions in Montevideo
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The Growth of Montevideo
After Rosas' fall in 1851, Montevideo's economy
recovered, and its port became the hub for an
improving agricultural sector. Between 1860 and
1911, the British built a railroad network that
greatly assisted Montevideo's growth and linked
it with the campo (countryside).
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Legislative Palace. On July 1 1905, the
fundamental stone of the States first important
architectural work was placed in position . The
building became one of the citys most important
architectural achievements, and was inaugurated
on August 25th 1925, in commemoration of the
First Centenary since national independence.
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Montevideo-Immigration
Like Buenos Aires, in the early 20th century the
prospering city began to absorb a large number of
European immigrants (mostly from Spain and
Italy). By 1908 more than 30 of Montevideo's
population was foreign-born, the source of the
city's rich cultural diversity.
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NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM-FORMER RESIDENCE OF THE
XIMENES FAMILY25 de Agosto Ave. 580-86Built
1817Style Spanish Neoclassicism
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Montevideo 20th Century
Economic stagnation and political decline in the
mid-20th century saw Montevideo's middle-class
prestige faded, and the effects of the prevailing
military dictatorship still scarred the city.
Many refugees from areas of rural poverty flooded
into the city - mostly living in conventillos,
older houses converted into multi-family slums in
the Ciudad Vieja.   A return to more democratic
traditions, stronger trade ties with its South
American neighbours and the rapid growth of
Montevideo's urban population have lead to
renewed agricultural expansion and optimism for a
return to the city's former prosperity.
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Images of Montevideo
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Palacio Salvo, Montevideo
Montevideo Today
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Images of the City
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Montevideo
Sarandí Walking corridor
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The Door of the City
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Door of the City/Puerta de la Ciudadela
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The beach in Montevideo
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Images of the Port market
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Crisis in Montevideo
In 2002, a spill over of Argentina's financial
crisis threatened to hit the city as well as the
whole country. However, the emergency measures
put in place by the government effectively
prevented this.
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Sources

• Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay
• Website www.turismo.gub.uy