The "Monte" of Montevideo

Hard to find where the name of our city came from. There are several tales of lookouts seeing a hill and shouting in very awkward Portuguese "Monte vide eu". I do not believe this B.S.. My favorite explanation is old maps showing topographical accidents with a Roman numeral: "Monte VI de O", i.e. hill number 6 from the West. In any case, the hill at the western end of the bay is a most characteristic feature. Here is a view from Capurro area. (Those railroad tracks are in use, believe it or not). 

On top of the hill there is a fortress, last iteration 1809 right after the British invasions. There is a lighthouse over the fortress, which must make for an interesting Army-Navy joint operation.

There is a very nice view of the city from the fortress. The many guns never fired a shot in anger.

I like the weathered wood of the gun carriage at the entrance. Probably it has been there since the last restoration (1942), or even before.

For a modest fee you can visit the military museum inside the fortress. It is a cool place in the summer. The Army keeps it in good shape. There is a time capsule stored in 2011 (two hundred years anniversary of the Army), to be opened in 2111, probably around May 18. I am not planning to attend.

Special guard at the entrance.

Thanks for looking!

Fishing in Sarandí breakwater jetty

The Sarandí jetty was built around 1905, back when the country was young and confident. Maritime traffic was tremendous (there was no Panama Canal at the time). The breakwater is essential for the harbor. It is also a nice walk if you like waterscapes. Tourism is not flocking there yet.

In the weekend that I visited, a veteran fisherman was preparing his home-made line in the sun and wind. These are the guys that know the fish, the wind and the best bait.


I did not see any catch in a few throws.

Farther down the jetty there was activity with more typical hardware. The large rocks are good standing points for throwing, but you have to be careful.

The entrance to the jetty was remodeled some time ago. Then a few storms came in, and did some damage to the easy-access section with its nice rounded shape.

Thanks for looking! 

Around the lake in Rodó Park

City Hall has decided to refill the lake and stock it with fish. The lake is an artificial one, turn of the century, back when things could still be done in my little country. A short walk around the lake to record progress was in order.

It looks like a rain forest with palms! Yet, no pedal boats have returned.

I hope this is just the start of a thorough clean-up. The old gazebo has been fenced.

Walking around the lake, you get to the miniature castle. The Defensor Footbal Club fans ("Tuertos") have decorated it with a few graffiti. Yet, with a little care and modernization, this could shine.

The castle main gate is heavily decorated, although probably not as intended originally.

A good chain and lock in this gate are testimony to a need.

Close to the gate there is a beautiful old water dispenser. I swear that I saw a similar one in Rome, but that one was working and it had the outlet valve - its very clean and cold water was welcome in a hot day. Our local version has lost the bronze end, probably decades ago. Montevideo dwellers are avid bronze collectors. At least the paint is the original one.

Thanks for looking. Camera was my old Autocord, burning Pan F+ developed in Beutler, what else.

Buceo harbor, again.

The old Buceo fishing harbor in a winter's noon is a nice place to test a camera or lenses. Or just to lie in the sun.

Or to fish with line and reel.

The sun is not helping too much this winter. Water looks oily and dirty.

Thanks for looking!

The Dark Castle

Anything that is left around for a while in Montevideo quickly goes to the dark side. The little old castle in Rodo park is a current example.



The lake in front has been drained. In the old times, you could rent a pedal boat and roam around. Now the place has become covered with graffiti.





Above the entrance, the original legends have been substituted by something else entirely.



The door of the Dark Castle is locked.



But if you find a hole, the original Walt Disney towers may still be seen.



I do hope that our local government will take care of this castle some day. It is staged for an Onetti novel any time now.

Tristán-Narvaja street market

I got time last weekend to visit the Tristán Narvaja street market. This is a huge place where you can find practically anything under the sun.

Many Montevideanos go there as a Sunday outing. Families too. The little guy in the middle is getting bored.

The market is more or less organized by wares. This is part of the enormous old books section.

Talking with the expert sellers is the best part of the buy.

These old dolls were neatly arranged for display.

Thanks for looking!

Technical: Super-Isolette, HP5+ in D-76.