Colonia del Sacramento is located at the end of the San Gabriel Peninsula on the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver). It was founded by Manuel Lobo as a Portuguese port settlement in 1680.
Portuguese Colonia was across the river from the Spanish port of Buenos Aires and threatened Spanish control of the region’s trade. For a century Colonia changed between Portuguese and Spanish possession through various battles and treaties until Uruguay’s independence in 1825.
The original port community of Colonia del Sacramento is now a historic district (Barrío Histórico). It is approximately a six block by eight block area located at the end of a peninsula, and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Colonia has narrow stone streets with original Portuguese and Spanish structures. The historic district has several tours, six museums, a town square, a large marina, fine restaurants, shops, and hotels.
Colonia del Sacramento is located in Uruguay’s department of Colonia. The modern city of Colonia extends east from the historic district with a total population of approximately 22,000. Colonia is the main water entry for Argentines coming to Uruguay from Buenos Aires.
The city of Colonia is surrounded by beautiful farmland. Many farm families supplement their earnings by selling homemade cheeses and kitchen goods on the side of the road.
The oldest homes in Colonia del Sacramento were built by the Portuguese in the 1680's. The Spanish later occupied Colonia and left their architectural mark. Some historic buildings were remodeled with neoclassic fascades in the 1800's.
The original port community of Colonia had a stone wall to protect against land attacks. The city gate, drawbridge, and a section of wall were reconstructed from the ruins of the original wall and drawbridge between 1968 and 1971.
