El Día del Patrimonio 2023
Updated: Oct 7, 2025
After many years as a volunteer for Open House New York, and later Open House Worldwide, not much gets me as excited as a weekend where buildings are free and open to public, making "Heritage Day" in Uruguay right up my alley. While it is still officially referred to as "Dia del Patriomonio" it is the entire first weekend of October and is more often known as "Finde del Patrimonio," with hundreds of sites across the country accessible both Saturday and Sunday.
Upon creating this recap from our first year, I learned that the theme in 2023 was "Constructores de escuelas y liceos," with a special focus on Architects Alfredo Jones Brown, Juan Antonio Scasso, and José Scheps. For us, it was simply a great way to see inside many of Montevideo's iconic structures:
Grand Staircase of Club Uruguay Grand Staircase of Club Uruguay Gus The main event space of Club Uruguay Uruguayans by choice I don't think Adolf Loos would like it here Museo Histórico Nacional Previously a political dwelling with a tower to oversee the city and port ... and Montevideo's wild citizenry Lunch picnic Reflecting on cultural inheritance Casa Antonio Montero Banco Republica Food and crafts in Plaza Independencia Lecture hall Carpinchos en el Museo de Historia Natural Day two started at the top of Antel Tower, the tallest tower in Montevideo So much potential with the former train station and yard Industrial warehouses... for now... Palacio Legislativo from above (notice the queue of people out front) Palacio Legislativo (cropped and curated) Palacio Legislativo (reality) Cropped and curated Reality Independence does the body good... Senate Caryatids Frescos on the atrium walls All of the stone is from Uruguay Sciences (opposite, the arts) Deputies (representatives) Reception hall at Palacio Legislativo Is symmetry a sign of democracy? Not directly related to Dia del Patrimonio, there's an annual music festival in Parque Rodó
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