Ola Uruguay Real Estate and Investments

The Christopher Columbus Monument, standing in Independencia Square in the city of Durazno, was built by immigrants in 1892 to commemorate the fourth centennial of the discovery of America.

A festival committee was formed made up of Italian, Spanish, Argentinean, and Brazilian immigrants, as well as Uruguayan citizens, who came up with an innovative and unique idea to leave a legacy for future generations. They resolved to raise a monument to honor the great sailor—a 14-meter-tall column made of granite brought in from San Borja, with a hollow sphere, symbolizing the world on top. Inside the sphere, a brass box was placed containing documents about life in the City of Durazno in the late 19th century, such as scrolls, diplomas, medals, and show guides. This box was to be opened a hundred years later.

And so in October 1992, a public ceremony was attended by the people of Uruguay. The streets were alive, and everyone had a theory about the contents of the sphere; the excitement was contagious. The message written by the ancestors was read with great thrill and the objects contained in the box were revealed. They are now on display in the Casa de Rivera Historical Museum, opposite the square.

Afterward, to continue with the tradition, the citizens of Durazno replaced the contents of the box with their own message for the citizens of 2092. Gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as coins, maps, stamps, books, and even a hard disk provided by IBM Uruguay, containing photographs and some general statistics, were placed inside the sphere.

Today, this block of granite is the pride of Durazno and it will be protected with great expectations until the time comes for it to be opened once again.

The information in this article has been reproduced here with the permission of www.welcomeuruguay.com.