Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Weather: A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny, 67/78F.

Route: From Buenos Aires 483 km northeast on Routes 2, 9, 21.

Significance: Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, this important location guarding the mouth of the Rio de la Plata was fought over for centuries, just as the country Uruguay itself, between the Portuguese and the Spanish. The city's importance waned after the founding of Montevideo in the 18th century - therefore the architecture of the 17th and early 18th centuries have been preserved.  The architectural styles are a combination of Spanish and Portuguese.

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Historic entrance gate to the city (from whc.unesco.org)

Original Portuguese style street, with low point in the middle of the street - Spanish style was to have the highest point of the street in the middle (from whc.unesco.org)