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Colonia del Sacramento

Coordinates: 34°28′17″S 57°50′39″W / 34.47139°S 57.84417°W / -34.47139; -57.84417
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"Colonia, Uruguay" redirects here. For other uses of Colonia, see Colonia (disambiguation).
For other uses, see Sacramento (disambiguation).
Colonia del Sacramento
Portuguese: Colônia do Sacramento
Capital city
Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento
Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is located in Uruguay
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento
Coordinates: 34°28′17″S 57°50′39″W / 34.47139°S 57.84417°W / -34.47139; -57.84417
Country Uruguay
Department Colonia
Founded1680
Founded byManuel Lobo
Elevation
27 m (89 ft)
Population
 (2011 Census)
 • Total26,231
Time zoneUTC -3
Postal code
70000
Dial plan+598 452 (+5 digits)
ClimateCfa
Websitehttps://www.colonia.gub.uy/
Official nameHistoric Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento
CriteriaCultural: iv
Reference747
Inscription1995 (19th Session)
Area16 ha

Colonia del Sacramento (Spanish: [koˈlonja ðel sakɾaˈmento] ⓘ; Portuguese: Colônia do Sacramento) is a city in southwestern Uruguay, by the Río de la Plata, facing Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is one of the oldest towns in Uruguay and the capital of the Colonia Department. It has a population of around 27,000.

Its historic quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1] Modern Colonia del Sacramento produces textiles and has a free trade zone, in addition to a polytechnic centre and various government buildings.

History

[edit]
The Portuguese established Colónia do Sacramento in 1680.

Following the restoration of the Portuguese crown, King Peter II sought the resolution of the southern border of Brazil. Manuel Lobo with 5 ships containing about 400 soldiers, craftsmen, carpenters and stonecutters, and 18 guns, reached San Gabriel Island on 20 January 1680. On 28 January, they commenced establishing a post.[2]

José de Garro sent spies from Santo Domingo de Soriano on 22 February 1680, after receiving a negative response on 10 February to his ultimatum to leave the site. Garro sent a force of 3,400 men under the command of Antonio de Vera Mujica, capturing the besieged town on the night of 6–7 August 1680. Lobo was taken as a prisoner to Buenos Aires, where he died on 7 January 1683. A treaty between Spain and Portugal signed in 1681 returned Colonia to Portugal.[2]: 105–106, 109 

Field Marshal Duarte Teixeira Chaves arrived off the San Gabriel islands on 25 January 1683, and commenced to rebuild the settlement. Field Marshal Cristóvão Dornelas Abreu was its governor until 1690, when Dom Francisco Naper de Lencastre took over. Smuggling, and cattle hunting from the Banda Oriental, were the main components of the colony's economy. Lencastre ordered the building of houses of stone and mud with tile roofs, the enlargement of the city walls, and the addition of a fortified tower. The colonists grew wheat, hemp flax, and grape vines, and exported cattle hides to Rio de Janeiro, while importing wood and foodstuffs. Sebastião da Veiga Cabral took over as governor in 1699.[2]: 113–115, 121–127, 131 

As a consequence of the War of the Spanish Succession, the governor of Buenos Aires, Valdes Incian, initiated the Siege of Colonia del Sacramento. The forces of the Spanish governor were commanded by Baltazar García Ros from 18 October 1704 until 14 March 1705, when the colonists were evacuated by Portuguese ships. Only the churches and bridge remained undestroyed.[2]: 135–136, 142 

The colony was given back to Portugal in the Treaty of Utrecht. Manuel Gomes Barbosa took possession on 10 February 1718 with 1,040 colonists. More colonists arrived in 1721. Antonio Pedro de Vasconcellos took over as governor on 14 March 1722 and transformed it into the richest and best-defended city in the Rio de la Plata region. This included the coastal bastions of São Pedro de Alcântara, São Miguel, Santo António, São João, Carmo, and Santa Rita.[2]: 147–160, 166, 169 

Another attack during the Spanish–Portuguese War (1735–1737), failed. Don Luis Garcia de Bivar took over as governor in 1749, but died on 5 March 1760. During that time, the Treaty of Madrid (13 January 1750) was never complied with and was finally considered null and void. Brigadier Vicente da Silva da Fonseca then took over as governor. Fonseca was forced to surrender the colony to Pedro Antonio de Cevallos on 11 October 1762. Spain returned the colony in the 1762 Treaty of Fontainebleau, and Dom José Pedro de Figueiredo Sarmento took over as governor on 27 December 1763. He was replaced by Francisco José da Rocha on 15 March 1777.[2]: 170–175, 177–178, 187, 195, 202–203 

With the Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1777, the colony became a Spanish possession once more.[2]: 206–207 

It then transferred to Portuguese control again, being later incorporated into Brazil after 1816, when the entire Banda Oriental (Uruguay) was seized by the government of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves and renamed the Cisplatina province.

On 10 January 1809, before the independence of Uruguay, it was designated as a "Vila" ("town" in 19th century Portuguese) and has since been elevated to the status of "Ciudad" ("city" in Spanish).

Since independence, Colonia del Sacramento has expanded to the north and east, but the original Bairro Histórico (historic quarter in Portuguese or Barrio Histórico, current Spanish spelling) retains its irregular, terrain-fitting street plan built by the Portuguese, contrasting with the wider, orthogonal calles in the newer Spanish area.

In 2022, it was confirmed Uruguay planned to create a Silicon Valley-style new city in Colonia called Colonia Ala Este, to entice Argentine immigrants due to Argentina's poor economic situation. This would double Colonia's population to about 60,000 people. With an initial investment of more than US$100 million, it was planned to build a sustainable city open to the community as a hub for the knowledge economy industry on a 500-hectare site, which includes forests and seven kilometers of coastline, with beaches such as Calabrés and Fernando.[3]

Timeline of rule

[edit]

The rule from 1680 to present (with flag of the period) is:

From To Rule Reason for Handover
1680 1680 Portugal     conquered by José de Garro
1680 1681    Spain treaty between Spain and Portugal
1681 1705 Portugal conquered in the War of Spanish Succession
1705 1713    Spain Treaty of Utrecht
1714 1762 Portugal First Cevallos expedition
1762 1763    Spain Treaty of Paris (1763)
1763 1777 Portugal Second Cevallos expedition
1777 1811    Spain Revolt led by José Gervasio Artigas   
1811 1817 Liga Federal Portuguese conquest
1817 1822 United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves Brazilian Declaration of Independence
1822 1828 Brazil Cisplatine War
1828 present Uruguay

Population

[edit]

In 2011 Colonia del Sacramento had a population of 26,231.[4]

Year Population
1908 8,021
1963 12,846
1975 17,046
1985 19,102
1996 22,200
2004 21,714
2011 26,231

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[5]

Geography

[edit]

Climate

[edit]

Colonia del Sacramento has a mild humid subtropical climate, described by the Köppen climate classification as Cfa. Summers are warm and winters are cool, with relatively frequent frosts and fog. The precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of 1,039 mm (40.91 in), and the annual average temperature is 17 °C (63 °F).

Climate data for Colonia del Sacramento , Uruguay (1991–2020, extremes 1940–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 39.7
(103.5) 		37.4
(99.3) 		36.8
(98.2) 		34.6
(94.3) 		30.8
(87.4) 		36.0
(96.8) 		29.0
(84.2) 		35.0
(95.0) 		32.8
(91.0) 		36.4
(97.5) 		38.0
(100.4) 		38.7
(101.7) 		39.7
(103.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28.7
(83.7) 		27.6
(81.7) 		25.8
(78.4) 		22.4
(72.3) 		18.7
(65.7) 		15.6
(60.1) 		14.6
(58.3) 		16.9
(62.4) 		18.6
(65.5) 		21.4
(70.5) 		24.6
(76.3) 		27.4
(81.3) 		21.9
(71.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 23.7
(74.7) 		23.0
(73.4) 		21.4
(70.5) 		18.3
(64.9) 		14.9
(58.8) 		12.0
(53.6) 		11.0
(51.8) 		12.7
(54.9) 		14.3
(57.7) 		16.9
(62.4) 		19.7
(67.5) 		22.3
(72.1) 		17.5
(63.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 18.8
(65.8) 		18.5
(65.3) 		17.0
(62.6) 		14.1
(57.4) 		11.2
(52.2) 		8.3
(46.9) 		7.3
(45.1) 		8.5
(47.3) 		9.9
(49.8) 		12.6
(54.7) 		14.9
(58.8) 		17.3
(63.1) 		13.2
(55.8)
Record low °C (°F) 10.4
(50.7) 		9.9
(49.8) 		7.9
(46.2) 		4.4
(39.9) 		1.1
(34.0) 		−0.4
(31.3) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		1.5
(34.7) 		2.7
(36.9) 		5.3
(41.5) 		7.6
(45.7) 		−3.0
(26.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 100.5
(3.96) 		111.1
(4.37) 		125.8
(4.95) 		100.6
(3.96) 		82.5
(3.25) 		68.8
(2.71) 		75.8
(2.98) 		68.9
(2.71) 		78.3
(3.08) 		112.9
(4.44) 		103.5
(4.07) 		115.8
(4.56) 		1,144.5
(45.06)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 6 6 7 7 6 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 75
Average relative humidity (%) 66 70 73 74 75 77 76 73 71 71 68 66 72
Mean monthly sunshine hours 288.3 237.3 235.6 180.0 167.4 132.0 151.9 179.8 198.0 223.2 240.0 272.8 2,506.3
Mean daily sunshine hours 9.3 8.4 7.6 6.0 5.4 4.4 4.9 5.8 6.6 7.2 8.0 8.8 6.8
Source 1: Instituto Uruguayo de Metereología[6][7]
Source 2: NOAA (precipitation 1991–2020)[8] Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (sun and humidity 1980–2009)[9]

Urban fabric

[edit]

The city was developed on a peninsula that protrudes into the Río de la Plata. The 16-hectare "Barrio Histórico", or Portuguese Old City, was enclosed by a fortification wall across the peninsula in the site of present-day Calle Ituzaingó. Most of the fortification wall was removed in 1777 and some remaining parts again in 1859. The Portuguese part of the city has an irregular street network.[citation needed]

Outside the wall, the historical part of the city was planned in the Spanish colonial style and in the characteristic checkerboard layout.

Sport

[edit]

The local professional football team is Plaza Colonia, founded in 1917, playing at the Estadio Profesor Alberto Suppici. They won the 2016 Clausura, their biggest success to date.

Deportivo Colonia, founded in 1999, lost its professional status in 2007. They play at the Estadio Miguel Campomar.

Club Atlético Plaza has futsal, volleyball and basketball sections, as well as a football section based at Estadio Néstor Naviliat.

The town's Plaza de toros Real de San Carlos is a disused bullring which has been renovated and repurposed as a performing arts venue.

Points of interest

[edit]

The Barrio Histórico (historic quarter) section of Colonia del Sacramento is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has some cobblestone streets built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, and is within walking distance of the town's ferry terminal. Among the tourist attractions around the tree-lined Plaza Mayor (main square) are:

  • Portón de Campo – the City Gate and wooden drawbridge
  • Lighthouse and convent ruins of the 17th-century Convent of San Francisco
  • Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento – the Basilica of the Holy Sacrament, built of stone by the Portuguese in 1808
  • Portuguese Museum – constructed in the 18th century, it exhibits Portuguese furnishings, jewelry, uniforms and old maps of Portuguese naval expeditions
  • Casa de Nacarello – an 18th-century Portuguese house
  • Calle de los Suspiros, a historical street
  • Municipal Museum – rebuilt by the Spanish in 1835 as the Casa del Almirante Brown, it exhibits artifacts and documents of the city's different periods and cultures
  • Viceroy's House – the Casa del Virrey, reconstructed from the original ruins
  • Plaza de toros Real de San Carlos, a Bullring included in an old tourist complex now abandoned.
[edit]
  • Views of the Barrio Histórico
  • The Portuguese led attack on Nova Colonia, 6 January 1763
    The Portuguese led attack on Nova Colonia, 6 January 1763
  • Map of the Old City in ceramic tiles
    Map of the Old City in ceramic tiles
  • View of the historic district from the top of the lighthouse
    View of the historic district from the top of the lighthouse
  • Portón de Campo, the City Gate
    Portón de Campo, the City Gate
  • Another view of the City Gate
    Another view of the City Gate
  • Lighthouse at Colonia del Sacramento
    Lighthouse at Colonia del Sacramento
  • Calle San Pedro, a typical street in the historic district
    Calle San Pedro, a typical street in the historic district
  • The 1866 Wharf of Colonia
    The 1866 Wharf of Colonia
  • The water front
    The water front
  • Old car parked on Calle Real in the historic district
    Old car parked on Calle Real in the historic district
  • Night at the historic quarter district - "Misiones de los Tapes" Street
    Night at the historic quarter district - "Misiones de los Tapes" Street
  • The Buquebus seen from the Paseo San Gabriel
    The Buquebus seen from the Paseo San Gabriel
  • Restaurant on a corner
    Restaurant on a corner
  • Wall art in Colonia del Sacramento
    Wall art in Colonia del Sacramento
  • Remains of Portuguese Azulejo
    Remains of Portuguese Azulejo

Transportation

[edit]

Colonia del Sacramento is served by three ferry boat lines from Buenos Aires, Argentina: "Buquebus", "Seacat Colonia" and "Colonia Express".[citation needed]

Two principal highways end in Colonia: Route 1 connects Colonia to Montevideo and points east; Route 21 connects to points north, including the Aarón de Anchorena National Park, 30 kilometres (19 mi) distant, and Fray Bentos. There is also a local airport for small planes. There is a project in process to lengthen the runway and begin commercial flights to Buenos Aires (this was done in the past) and other cities within Uruguay.

The city is served by Laguna de los Patos International Airport located 6 kilometres (4 mi) from Colonia along Route 1.

Consular representation

[edit]

Argentina and Portugal both maintain a consulate in Colonia del Sacramento.[citation needed]

Twin towns – sister cities

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Assunção, Fernando O.; Cravotto, Antonio (1996). Colonia del Sacramento, patrimonio mundial. Montevideo: UNESCO. (with prologue by Federico Mayor Zaragoza and introduction by Marta Canessa de Sanguinetti) (in Spanish)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "21 World Heritage Sites you have probably never heard of". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Mayor, Federico; de Sanguinetti, Marta Canessa; Assuncao, Fernando; Cravotto, Antonio (1996). Colonia del Sacramento. UNESCO. pp. 88, 93, 98–103. ISBN 9230032956.
  3. ^ "+Colonia: la "ciudad del futuro", cruzando el charco". 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  4. ^ "Censos 2011 Cuadros Colonia". INE. 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Statistics of urban localities (1963–2004)" (PDF). INE. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Estadísticas climatológicas : Estacion Meteorologica Colonia" (in Spanish). Instituto Uruguayo de Metereología. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  7. ^ "RECORDS METEOROLOGICOS EN EL URUGUAY" (in Spanish). Dirección Nacional de Meteorología. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Colonia del Sacramento Climate Normals 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  9. ^ Castaño, José; Giménez, Agustín; Ceroni, Mauricio; Furest, José; Aunchayna, Rossina. "Caracterización Agroclimática del Uruguay 1980–2009" (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  10. ^ "Relaciones Bilaterales". uruguatemala.org (in Portuguese). Embajada de Uruguay en Guatemala. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  11. ^ "Cidades". cm-guimaraes.pt (in Portuguese). Guimarães. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  12. ^ "Ciudades Hermanas entre Argentina y Uruguay". taringa.net (in Spanish). Taringa!. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  13. ^ "Olinda e Colônia do Sacramento tornam-se cidades irmãs". vermelho.org.br (in Portuguese). Vermelho. 2014-01-29. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  14. ^ "Câmara institui Frente Parlamentar das Cidades-irmãs de Pelotas". pelotas.rs.leg.br (in Portuguese). Pelotas. 2019-11-06. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  15. ^ "Hermanamiento y Cooperación entre la intendencia de Colonia y Quilmes". ci.gub.uy (in Spanish). Congreso de intendentes. 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Colonia del Sacramento.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Colonia.
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