Page 123 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

F AR THER AFIELD  121

Paraná Delta, a diluvial natural 1973 Argentina–Uruguay treaty,
labyrinth comprising over which ended the sovereignty
6,500 miles (10,500 km) of squabble, was that the island
canals, rivers, and marshes, as be converted into a nature
well as countless islands. Many preserve. Now, Isla Martín García
of these river islands are home has a strong reputation among
to small and self-sufficient ornitho logists, and visitors come
communities; others are for the flora and fauna as much
privately owned and built as for the fortifications. There are
over with smart and exclusive over 200 species of birds found
weekend resi dences, restau- here, including parrots, wood-
rants, water sport centers, and peckers, white herons, falcon-
lodgings. The islands can easily like chimangos, and snail kites.
be reached by river bus from
the Estacíon Fluvial in Tigre or 4 Colonia del
by char tered rides on one of
the many boats moored in Sacramento The serene interior of the Iglesia Matriz,
Puerto de Frutos. Colonia del Sacramento
Road map D3. * 26,000.
g from Puerto Madero.
∑ coloniaturismo.com samples of maps on the
Portuguese voyages of discovery,
Founded by the Portuguese in and the Museo Municipal,
1680, Colonia del Sacramento which houses an array of
is a sleepy coastal Uruguayan indigenous artifacts. To the east
town whose Barrio Histórico has of the plaza is the Iglesia Matriz,
been preserved intact since the Uruguay’s oldest church, with
colonial era. In recognition of religious artworks that date back
this, and to guard against over two centuries. Leading off
intrusive development, the from the square is Calle de los
district was declared a UNESCO Suspiros (Street of Sighs), one of
World Heritage Site in 1996. the region’s most-photographed
After a century-long fight, lanes, paved with rough
the town was ceded by its cobble stones and flanked by
founders to the Spanish in the colonial houses.
late 1770s, who held it until the Visitors can end their day with
Independence wars. Portuguese a stroll on the beach watching
and Spanish influ ences resulted the sunset after a meal at one of
Jacaranda blossoms covering a path at in the cobble stoned streets, the town’s excellent restaurants.
Isla Martín García leafy plazas, elegant churches,
and stucco-façaded mansions E Museo Portugués
3 Isla Martín García that abound in Barrio Histórico. Casa Historica, Calle de San Pedro, in
Around the town’s fig and front of Plaza Mayor. Open 11:15am–
Road map D3. Río de la Plata. * 150. 4:45pm Sat–Tue & Thu. &
g from Tigre, daily. palm-tree-lined central square,
Plaza Mayor, are a number E Museo Municipal
Although comprising a small of museums and historical Calle del Comercio, in front of
area of land, Isla Martín García buildings. These include the Plaza Mayor. Open 11:15am–4:45pm
has been fought over by Spain, Museo Portugués, with excellent Wed–Mon. &
Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay, Britain,
and France; it was finally
conquered by the Argentinian
Navy in 1886. The island’s
fortifications were used as
prisons and many A-list political
detainees did stretches here,
including Presidents Hipólito
Yrigoyen and Marcelo T. de
Alvear. A thorough account
of Isla Martín García’s long
and violent history is related
through the displays in the
small Museo Histórico, located
near the center of the island,
close to the old lighthouse.
One of the conditions of the One of the picturesque cobblestoned streets in Colonia del Sacramento
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p279 and p291

120-121_EW_Argentina.indd 121 05/08/16 10:40 am