Cagancha Square: reviews and practical tips

Visiting Cagancha Square

Cagancha Square is one of the iconic plazas in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. Some locals refer to it as Plaza Libertad, though the city already has a square by that name, and you can find this one downtown along the Avenida 18 de Julio.

History

The new city, or the expansion of the traditional colonial center, was designed in 1829. The task fell to engineer Jose Maria Reyes, who integrated a large urban space into his layout. A fruit market was originally established at this site.

The square went by several names before it was officially dubbed Cagancha Square in 1840. It was named in honor of General Fructuoso Rivera and his victory along the banks of the Arroyo Cagancha (Cagancha Creek).

The lush greenery you see today is the result of an initiative between 1900 and 1930, when authorities prioritized landscaping. The addition of flower beds and trees completely transformed the atmosphere of the space.

Cagancha Square

A bronze statue stands atop a column overlooking the square. Named the Statue of Peace, it was cast in 1867 using bronze from cannons used in the last civil war. It holds the distinction of being the first public monument in Montevideo, and the base of the statue marks the zero kilometer point for the country's national highway system.

Important city landmarks surround the plaza. The most prominent is the Palacio Piria, formerly the private residence of a wealthy businessman and now the headquarters of the Supreme Court of Justice.

You will also find the Teatro Circular de Montevideo (Circular Theater of Montevideo) and the Teatro Carlos Eugenio nearby. Finally, since 1983, the northwest corner of the square has housed the Mercado de los Artesanos, a well-known collective of Uruguayan craftspeople.

Cagancha Square is a leafy, architecturally significant spot that remains deeply woven into the history of the country.