Legislative Palace of Uruguay

History

In 1902, a law was made that approved the call for international competition for architectural projects for the construction of a new headquarters for the legislative branch, since its old headquarters, the Montevideo Cabildo, had several inadequacies. The project of the architect Vittorio Meano, who at that time was building the Palace of the Argentine National Congress in Buenos Aires, was approved. He never found out that his project had been the winner since he died suddenly before he could be contacted by the Legislative Palace Commission, organizer of the project competition.

The construction of this building started in 1904, sponsored by the government of President José Batlle y Ordoñez. It was designed by Italian architects Vittorio Meano and Gaetano Moretti, who planned the building's interior that is covered with marble. Among the notable contributors to the project was sculptor José Belloni, who created numerous reliefs and allegorical sculptures for the building. On August 25, 1925, the palace was formally inaugurated. Although the decoration work was not completed until 1964. The inauguration was presided over by President José Serrato.

Architecture

The palace is a Greco-Roman eclecticist-styled building whose facades, interior walls, vaults and columns are covered with different marbles from Uruguay. It took almost three decades to build. It consists of three large halls and several adjoining rooms, an upper floor where the Library of the Legislative Power works with more than 250,000 volumes and some parliamentary offices, as well as a large basement where there are offices, warehouses and printing and binding workshops. The main facade of the building is aligned with the axis of symmetry of Libertador Avenue.

Interior

Lobby of Honor

The Honorary Lobby is the first room after the main entrance of the building. It connects the portico with the Hall of the Lost Steps, and it exhibits works of art such as "La Jura de la Constitución 1830" by Pedro Blanes Viale, and the "Encuentro de un Centauro Indio con el León Hispano" and "El primer surco", both by Manuel Rosé.

Hall of the Lost Steps

In the nave of the building is the Hall of the Lost Steps (), which is inspired by the cathedrals of the Renaissance and is composed of two vaults and a central skylight, which separates the two chambers in which the Senate and the House of Representatives meet. The entrance to each of the chambers is crowned with three stained glass windows that form a semicircle.

Special Events Hall

Also known as the Party Hall, the works inside are meant to reflect episodes in Uruguayan history, such as "Las Instrucciones del Año XIII" or "El Éxodo del Pueblo Oriental". They exhibit portraits of famous figures, such as Fructuoso Rivera, Manuel Oribe and Juan Antonio Lavalleja. Its ceiling has gilt highlights on the 24-karat gold leaf.

Gallery

File:7a.)Vista amplia del detalle arquitectonico del noble edificio del P.Legislativo.JPG|View of the main facade of the legislative palace File:P Legislativo 102.JPG|View of the rear of the legislative palace File:2016 en Montevido avenida de Las Leyes, Palacio Legislativo. Uruguay.jpg|Columns of the main facade and staircase File:2016 bandera en el Palacio Legislativo de Montevido en Uruguay.jpg|Uruguayan flag waving in front of the palace

References

References

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4. (2013-04-17). "Historia".
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6. (November 2013). "Improving Democratic Accountability Globally". World Bank Institute.
7. (2023-06-16). "Palacio Legislativo".
8. "27° Edición Del "día Del Patrimonio"".
9. (2020-10-08). "Palacio Legislativo, testimonio de la grandeza de un país".
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11. Uruguaya, Sociedad. (2015-04-23). "Centenario del Genocidio Armenio: Ceremonia en el Salón de los Pasos Perdidos del Palacio Legislativo".
12. Fisher, Diego. (2019-08-09). "El día que Juana de Ibarbourou se convirtió en un mito".
13. (2016-10-26). "Los uruguayos se despiden de un Benedetti que "nunca muere" (+Fotos)".
14. (2014-09-17). "China Zorrilla será velada este jueves en el Salón de los Pasos Perdidos del Palacio Legislativo".
15. (February 25, 2014). "Los restos de Páez Vilaró ya descansan en el Cementerio del Norte".
16. (April 14, 2015). "Eduardo Galeano fue velado en el Palacio Legislativo".
17. (2015-05-16). "Políticos y personalidades despidieron a Carlos Maggi en el Palacio Legislativo".
18. (July 17, 2015). "Imágenes del velatorio de Alcides Ghiggia en el Palacio Legislativo".
19. "Constitución de la República de 1830 será presentada en versión digital".
20. (2017-12-19). "El renovado salón de fiestas del Palacio Legislativo".
21. "Historia".