| Piriápolis | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
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Piriápolis
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Uruguay |
| Department | Maldonado Department |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Founder | Francisco Piria |
| Area | |
| • Total | 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2004) | |
| • Total | 7,899 |
| Time zone | UTC -3 |
| Postal code | 20200 |
| Area code(s) | +598 443 |
Piriápolis is a city in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on the coast of Río de la Plata, on Route 10 and its intersection with Route 37. It is about 105 kilometres (65 mi) east of the national capital, Montevideo (via Ruta Interbalnearia and Route 37). Piriápolis is an important summer resort in the country, predating the larger and more popular resort town of Punta del Este. Because it is mainly used as a resort, it has a relatively small permanent population for a city of its size.
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Piriápolis was founded in 1893 by Francisco Piria. Its initial name was El Balneario del Porvenir (the Resort of the Future). In 1890, Piria had bought a very big stretch of land, including the hills Cerro Pan de Azúcar, Cerro del Inglés and Cerro del Toro, all the way south to the beach. In 1897 he finished the construction of his personal residence, the Castle of Piria, in 1905 the construction of "Hotel Piriápolis", today known as "Colonia Escolar de Vacaciones", in 1910 he constructed the coastal avenue Rambla de los Argentinos, and in 1912 he started selling the first building lots. In 1913 he established a scenic steam train line joining the (under construction) Port of Piriápolis with the Cerro Pan de Azúcar. The construction of the port finished in 1916. From 1920 to 1930 he constructed the Argentino Hotel, one of the biggest hotels of South America of the times. When Piria died, his natural and legal children started fighting each other over the inheritance.
In 2004, it had a population of 7,899 permanent inhabitants[1] and 7,123 dwellings.[2]
| Year | Population | Dwellings |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 4,549 | 2,620 |
| 1975 | 5,240 | 3,661 |
| 1985 | 5,878 | 4,289 |
| 1996 | 7,570 | 5,640 |
| 2004 | 7,899 | 7,123 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[3]
The city is centered around the Rambla de los Argentinos, a waterfront promenade. With a tourism-centered economy, Piriápolis has opulent hotels, large casinos, an active nightlife scene, and public parks. The Templo de San Antonio, situated atop one of the hills surrounding the city, can be reached by chair lift and offers a panoramic view of the coast. For more adventurous travelers, Uruguay's third-highest point, the Cerro Pan de Azúcar, can be found 10 km outside of town. The peak presents a challenging climb as well as a nature reserve. Boat tours and saltwater fishing are available at the Piriápolis port.
The Castle of Piria, near Piriápolis, is open to the public. The poet Julio Herrera y Reissig resided at the Castle for a period.
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