Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento is a city in southwestern Uruguay. It is next to the Río de la Plata and across from Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is one of Uruguay’s oldest towns and is the capital of the Colonia Department.

The historic part of Colonia del Sacramento is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has beautiful old buildings and cobblestone streets. Today, the city makes textiles and has a free trade zone, a polytechnic centre, and some important government buildings.

History

Colonia del Sacramento is one of the oldest towns in Uruguay. It was first settled by Portuguese explorers in 1680 when King Peter II sent soldiers to build a post on San Gabriel Island. Over time, the town changed hands many times between Portugal and Spain.

The town grew with smuggling and cattle hunting as important parts of its economy. It also became a strong city with big walls and bastions along the coast. After many attacks and treaties, the town became part of Spain, then Brazil, and finally Uruguay. Today, the old part of town still shows its Portuguese roots with narrow, winding streets, while newer parts have wider, straight roads. Recently, plans were made to build a new area called Colonia Ala Este to welcome people moving from nearby Argentina.

Population

In 2023, Colonia del Sacramento had 32,174 people.

Source: National Statistics Institute

Geography

Climate

Colonia del Sacramento has a mild humid subtropical climate. Summers are warm, and winters are cool. Frost and fog often occur in winter. Rain falls evenly during the year, with about 1,039 mm (40.91 in) total. The average temperature is 17 °C (63 °F).

Urban fabric

Colonia del Sacramento is on a peninsula that reaches into the Río de la Plata. There is a special area called the "Barrio Histórico" or Portuguese Old City. It used to be protected by a wall, but most of the wall is gone now. The streets in the Portuguese part are not straight, but the older Spanish part has streets in a square, checkerboard style.

Sport

Colonia del Sacramento has an exciting football team called Plaza Colonia. It started in 1917 and plays at the Estadio Profesor Alberto Suppici.

Another team, Deportivo Colonia, began in 1999. They now play at the Estadio Miguel Campomar.

Club Atlético Plaza offers many sports, including futsal, volleyball, basketball, and football.

The town also has an old bullring called the Plaza de toros Real de San Carlos. It is no longer used for bullfights. It is now a place for performances.

Points of interest

Colonia del Sacramento has a special area called the Barrio Histórico. It is a World Heritage Site chosen by UNESCO. This area has old cobblestone streets built by the Portuguese in the 1600s. It is close to where boats come into town.

Near the main square, Plaza Mayor, there are many interesting places to see. These include the City Gate with its wooden drawbridge, the ruins of an old lighthouse and convent, a beautiful stone church called the Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento, and a museum with old Portuguese treasures. You can also visit an old Portuguese house, a street known as Calle de los Suspiros, a municipal museum, a rebuilt house that once belonged to a leader, and a place that used to be a bullring but is now used for sports and cultural events.

Transportation

Colonia del Sacramento has three ferry boat lines from Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buquebus, Colonia Express, and Seacat Colonia. As of 2025^[update], many people travel across the River Plate each year this way.

Two main highways lead to Colonia: Route 1 goes to Montevideo, which is 180 km east, and Route 21 heads north to places like the Aarón de Anchorena National Park and Fray Bentos. The town also has Colonia Airport, located 6 km from the city along Route 1. There are plans to extend the runway to start commercial flights again.

Consular representation

Argentina has a consulate in Colonia del Sacramento. This helps people from Argentina who live or visit the city.

Twin towns – sister cities

Colonia del Sacramento has several sister cities around the world. These include:

• Antigua Guatemala in Guatemala
• Guimarães in Portugal
• Olinda and Pelotas in Brazil
• Quilmes in Argentina