Fortaleza del Cerro

Fortaleza del Cerro, also known as Fortaleza General Artigas, is a fortress situated in Montevideo, Uruguay overlooking the Bay of Montevideo. It belongs to the barrio of Casabó, at the west of Villa del Cerro. It holds a dominant position on the highest hill of the department of Montevideo]] (popularly known as Cerro de Montevideo with its altitude of 134 meters above sea level the sea, on the opposite side of the bay.^[1] Its function was to defend the population of Montevideo and its port, on the río de la Plata. Governor Francisco Xavier de Elío ordered construction in 1809 and it was completed in 1839;^[1] this was the last Spanish fort built in Uruguay.It has housed the Military Museum since 1916.

History

On its location an observation post was first built by the Spanish in the late 18th century. In 1802 a beacon replaced it and from 1809 to 1839 the fortress was built.^[2] It has taken part in many historical developments and has been repeatedly taken over by various sides. In 1907, the old beacon was replaced with a stronger electric one.

Monument and Sight

It is a National Monument since 1931^[3] and houses a military museum since 1916^[2]. Today it is one of the tourist attractions of Montevideo.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "CERRO DE MONTEVIDEO". Montevideo.com. http://www.montevideo.com.uy/enciclopedia/grande.htm#Montevideo. Retrieved 4 June 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Cerro de Montevideo "Geografía/ Cerro de Montevideo". Acerca de Montevideo COMM. http://www.montevideo.com.uy/enciclopedia/grande.htm#Montevideo Cerro de Montevideo. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
3. ^ "Cerro - Municipio A". Intendencia de Montevideo. http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/datos-%C3%BAtiles/barrios/cerro-municipio. Retrieved 20 November 2010. 

External links

• www.uruguaytotal.com/virtual/cerro (Spanish)
• www.montevideo.com (Spanish)
• 2002 post stamps for the 200 years of the lighthouse of the Cerro (Spanish)
• Revista Raíces - Historia de la Fortaleza del Cerro (Spanish)

Coordinates: 34°53′18″S 56°15′36″W / 34.88833°S 56.26°W / -34.88833; -56.26