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Fortress of Santa Teresa: A Coastal Sentinel

Explore Uruguay's Fortress of Santa Teresa: a historic sentinel offering panoramic views and a glimpse into the nation's military past.

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The Fortress of Santa Teresa, located in Uruguay's Rocha Department, is an 18th-century military fortification built initially by the Portuguese in 1762 and later completed by the Spanish. Nestled within Santa Teresa National Park, it offers a glimpse into the colonial struggles for the region and provides panoramic views of the Atlantic coast.

A brief summary to Fortress of Santa Teresa

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be exploring a large area with uneven surfaces.
  • Bring water and snacks, as amenities may be limited within the fortress.
  • Visit early in the day to avoid crowds, especially during peak season.
  • Check for guided tours to enhance your understanding of the fortress's history.
  • Bring Uruguayan pesos for the entrance fee.
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Getting There

  • Car

    To reach the Fortress of Santa Teresa by car, head towards the city of Rocha and take Route 9 east towards the coast. Continue on Route 9 until you reach the town of Castillos. In Castillos, follow the signs to Santa Teresa National Park. Route 303 will lead you to the fortress entrance. Parking is available at the entrance. There is no entrance fee for the national park, but there is a 50 Uruguayan pesos fee to enter the fortress.

  • Public Transport

    To get to the Fortress of Santa Teresa using public transport, take a bus from Montevideo or Punta del Este to the town of Castillos. From Castillos, take a taxi or local bus to Santa Teresa National Park. Once inside the park, follow the signs to the Fortress of Santa Teresa. The bus fare from Montevideo to Fortaleza de Santa Teresa is approximately $21–24. A taxi from Rocha to the fortress will cost approximately 300 to 500 Uruguayan Pesos.

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Discover more about Fortress of Santa Teresa

The Fortress of Santa Teresa, a historical landmark in the Rocha Department of Uruguay, stands as a testament to the country's rich and often turbulent past. Construction began in 1762 by the Portuguese, who sought to fortify their territory against Spanish incursions. However, the Spanish captured the fortress and completed its construction in 1793, adding their own architectural and strategic elements. The fortress is an irregular pentagon with five bastions, built from precisely cut granite stone. Its walls, reaching up to 11 meters in height and 7 meters in thickness, are a marvel of military engineering. Within these walls lie a complex of structures, including a chapel, powder magazine, officer's quarters, and a blacksmith's forge. Visitors can explore tunnels used as emergency exits and a kitchen displaying replicas of 18th and 19th-century instruments. Over the centuries, the fortress has changed hands multiple times, reflecting the ebb and flow of colonial power in the region. It was abandoned for a long period before being rediscovered and restored in 1928 by historian Horacio Arredondo. Today, the Fortress of Santa Teresa is a well-preserved historical site and army museum, offering guided tours and exhibits that detail its history and significance. It is located within Santa Teresa National Park, which adds to the attraction with its diverse landscapes, including forests, beaches, and a rose garden.

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