Montevideo Legislative Palace (Palacio Legislativo)
Avenida de las Leyes, Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo
Despite Uruguay’s diminutive size, its Parliament Palace is one of the most magnificent legislative houses in the world. Built in a heraldic neoclassical style, the palace was inaugurated in 1925, on the centennial of the country’s independence. No expense was spared in the making of its luxurious interior, which makes the palace a must-see attraction in Montevideo.
Parliament Palace is where Uruguay’s Senate, General Assembly, and House of Representatives hammer out legislation. Tour the lavish interior to admire the opulent Carrara marble, Venetian mosaics, gold and bronze ornamentation, murals, and rooms filled with notable artworks. The palace is featured on nearly every sightseeing excursion of Montevideo, from tours dedicated to the city’s top architectural attractions to those focused on barbecue and wine. Some tours include jaunts to the city’s elegant residential neighborhoods.
- Parliament Palace is an ideal spot for lovers of history, architecture, and art.
- The palace offers daily free tours of the public spaces.
- Don’t miss the stained glass dome in the Hall of Lost Steps, or the ornate library that houses Uruguay's most important book collection.
- Get a good spot for the changing of the guard, which happens every hour.
Parliament Palace is located on Avenida de las Leyes in Montevideo. Take any number of bus lines to the palace, with the closest stops being Av. de las Leyes y Guatemala and Gral. Flores Y Yatay. From Central Station, walk for about ten minutes, and from Old City, a taxi will get you there in about the same time.
Parliament Palace is open Monday through Friday and offers guided tours in Spanish, English, and Portuguese in the morning and afternoon. Since it’s one of the most photogenic buildings in the city, try to arrange your time later in the day when the sunlight is softer.
Such is the life in Montevideo when you are surrounded with all manner of architectural styles and some of the best beef in the world. After exploring the Parliament Palace, take a guided tour to the best beaches in the city before journeying to a farm on the outskirts to enjoy a typically lavish Uruguayan barbecue within a garden landscape and a swimming pool with a view.
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