PUERTA DE LA CIUDADELA

The citadel was undoubtedly the most important military construction in Montevideo. It began in 1742 and was not completed until 40 years later. Its black granite walls were 6 meters wide and 4 bastions contained 50 cannons each. The only vestige of this citadel is the Puerta de la Ciudadela, the gateway to the old city, which was equipped with a drawbridge. During the construction of the Plaza Independencia in 1877, it was moved to the current Universidad del Trabajo, before returning to its original location in 1959.