Palacio Legislativo Adds Gravitas to Bohemian Montevideo
Montevideo is one of my most favorite cities, mostly because it is the un-capitol. Rustic, bohemian and friendly, my travel experiences in Montevideo felt more like a visit to a quaint provincial outpost than a center of government power. Masterpieces of architecture such as the Palacio Salvo stand tall over the city’s neoclassical, post-modern, mid-century and occasional art deco treasures. And then there is the home of the country’s parliament.
The Palacio Legislativo stands tall about three kilometers from the city center. With Italian architect Vittorio Meano leading its construction, it took over 20 years for Palacio Legislativo to reach its completion in 1925. Intricate reliefs on the outside and stunning sculptures inside reflect the country’s might in the early 20th century. And as Uruguay’s economy strengthens due in part to its resilient farming sector, this stellar temple of democracy shines in a country that despite setbacks and hiccups, still embodies a country that is a symbol of hope in the Americas.
Tours of the building are generally available in the afternoon
Entrance to the Palacio Legislativo, home of the nation's legislative branch
A walk around the Palacio Legislativo breaks up the trip between the city center and waterfront
About The Author
Leon Kaye
Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com and its advisory division, GGP Media. Contact him to discuss how he can work with your organization or event.
His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
He writes for San Francisco-based Triple Pundit, Inhabitat and now The Guardian, for which he writes about corporate responsibility, water, and green building. He has also written for AIA's Architect Magazine.
Leon works out of Fresno and Silicon Valley, California, and when he has free time, he enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, weightlifting, and planning his next trip to one of the 60 countries he has visited. He has an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Cal State-Fresno.
