Capital city in Lavalleja, Uruguay
Photo: Melodygar, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Minas is the capital of Lavalleja Department, located in the rolling hills of the central interior of Uruguay.
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Location of several museums. This was the original home of Juan Antonio Lavalleja, who participated in the Uruguayan war of independence against the Empire of Brazil. Also includes exhibits on the musicians Eduardo Fabini and Juan José Morosoli, on the first inhabitants of the city in the 18th and 19th centuries, and on gauchos (South American cowboys, an important part of Uruguayan national identity), among others.
The headquarters of the Diocese of Minas. The current neoclassical building opened in 1892. It was preceded by two others, the first opened in the late 1700s and the other in 1845. It is located on a wide street, across from the main plaza.
A miniature museum of a local artist with even a miniature model of the local museum building (and its tower) at Juan Farina street.
In the middle of the plaza is a monument to General Juan Antonio Lavalleja, a bronze equestrian statue unveiled in 1902.
Lavalleja Theater
Opened in 1909 and built in an eclectic style with a bare brick front by the architect Cayetano Buigas y Monravá. In 1992 it became the location of the Museum of Humor and Comics (Museo del Humor y la Historieta), and since 1995 it has been the venue for the annual Morosoli Prize.
A famous hill with caves. Nearby is the Isla de Ombues which is the largest group of giant Ombu trees in the world.
Parque Salus, Reserva Salus
A nature reserve belonging to the bottled water company Salus. It comprises 1300 hectares of hills, forest, scrubland, and meadows, including the famous Fuente del Puma. Includes numerous wild species of native flora and fauna.
Another nearby attraction with precolumbian tumuli.
A beautiful and very sacred place with an impressive monument at the top of a 325 m high hill. In addition, great views of Minas and the surrounding area. Busiest on April 19th, for the Patron of Uruguay.
A small waterfall and pool to refresh in the hot summer. Enjoy watching the iguanas line up on the rocks to catch the rays of the heating sun. Otherwise you can do zip-lining across the pool, or hike the rugged hills and enjoy spectacular scenery. There is also a restaurant there.
Interestingly, two temples have found themselves in the middle of nowhere.
Decent hostel with dorms and doubles, and including breakfast for an unbeatable rate, when reserved directly. Lockers, living area, AC, though no stoves but just a microwave and water heater.
Buses are available from Montevideo as well as from various cities in eastern Uruguay.
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