Puerta de Campo in Colonia del Sacramento.

There are a couple of ways to enter the historical part of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay and one of them is through the Puerta de Campo. This historical gate, inaugurated in 1745, by the Portuguese Governor Vasconcellos is beautiful. He was a great promoter of the town buildings and its activities.

Take time to find all the hidden gems in Colonia del Sacramento. It is impossible to miss this part of the old city and I suggest you spend a little bit of time here to admire the detail.

Puerta or gate to the city.

The drawbridge or Gatehouse as it is often referred to extends over a ditch with massive chains bolted into the cement and stone pillars. It almost looks like an old castle bridge. It is a perfect example of Colonial Construction with a strong Portuguese influence. If you walk across the wooden bridge you will see lush green trees and it is the perfect spot to take photos.

You can also climb the rock walls to see the canons up close and to admire the view. The walls are still original and are huge. There is no need to take a guided tour but if you want to learn more about the history of the city then you can take a guided tour for 30 UR pesos at the tourism center.

The drawbridge is a little crowded and with a lot of school children and tourists.

How much time do you need here? I guess not more than 30 minutes. It all depends on what you want to see and how many photos you want to take. Keep an eye open for the little details like the plaques on the walls, the cobblestones, details on the cannons and painted ceramics that tell a story in itself.

Where: Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.

When: November 2012.