Avenida 18 de Julio

The avenue 18 de Julio, in Montevideo

The avenue 18 de Julio is the great artery of Montevideo, that stretches over nearly three kilometres from the Independence Square to the obelisk of the Constituents. The Montevideo audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this emblematic avenue, the commercial and civic heart of the town, whose name commemorates the date of the first Constitution of Uruguay, the 18th of July 1830.

The great artery of the capital

You walk along the avenue 18 de Julio, the main artery of Montevideo and the backbone of the modern town. About three kilometres long, it goes from the Independence Square, at the edge of the old town, and runs in a straight line to the obelisk of the Constituents, in the district of Tres Cruces. Its name commemorates a founding date of the history of the country: the 18th of July 1830, the day when the oath was taken to the first Constitution of Uruguay, sealing the birth of the young Republic. This shows the symbolic importance of this avenue, that crosses the heart of the capital. All along its course follow one another shops, department stores, cafés, theatres, cinemas and institutions, as well as fine buildings of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, witnesses of the past prosperity of the town. You also find there several important squares, like the Plaza Cagancha, museums and monuments. A true showcase of Montevideo, the avenue is the scene of daily life as of the great events: it is here that the celebrations, the demonstrations and, during the carnival, a part of the festivities parade. Lively and popular, it beats to the rhythm of the town and offers a condensed of its history and its energy. An emblematic artery and a backbone of the town, the avenue 18 de Julio is a fine stop of the discovery of Montevideo.

What to see

Here you walk along the great artery of Montevideo, about three kilometres long from the Independence Square to the obelisk of the Constituents; lined with shops, cafés, theatres and fine old buildings, marked by squares like the Plaza Cagancha, it is the commercial and civic heart of the town. Its name commemorates the 18th of July 1830, date of the first Constitution of Uruguay. The avenue 18 de Julio is the backbone of Montevideo. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The avenue 18 de Julio crosses the centre of Montevideo, from the Independence Square to the obelisk of the Constituents, reachable on foot. It is a great avenue freely accessible, lined with shops, cafés, theatres and squares, lively all day. You walk along it during a stroll in the centre.

Why is the main avenue of Montevideo called 18 de Julio?

Because its name commemorates the 18th of July 1830, the day when the oath was taken to the first Constitution of Uruguay, sealing the birth of the young Republic; it is the great artery of the town, about three kilometres long from the Independence Square to the obelisk of the Constituents, the commercial and civic heart of Montevideo.

Where is the avenue 18 de Julio in Montevideo?

In the heart of Montevideo, from the Independence Square to the obelisk of the Constituents, in Uruguay.