Plaza Independencia (Independence Square), Montevideo (must see)

Jose Gervasio Artigas Arnal, the national hero of Uruguayan independence, was a fan of Thomas Paine, Jefferson, Rousseau, and other revolutionary writers of the 18th century. Although he is called the father of Uruguayan freedom, he died in exile. His remains were laid to rest in the Artigas Mausoleum on Independence Square in the center of Montevideo.

The Independence Square houses an equestrian statue of Artigas, created by Italian sculptor Angelo Zanelli. Stairs led from the monument to the underground mausoleum. The Square was designed in the 1830s by Italian architect Carlo Zucchi, who drew inspiration from Rivoli Street in Paris. The Independence Square was redesigned thirty years later by Swiss architect and sculptor Bernardo Poncini.

The Independence Square separates the Old City from downtown Montevideo. The gateway of Ciudadela and the Montevideo Twin Towers are on one side of the Square, and the 18th of July Avenue is on the other. The Solis Theatre, the 19th century Estevez Palace, and the Executive Tower are nearby. The landmark Salvo Palace is also nearby.

The Artigas monument dominates the center of Independence Square. Large green areas cover each of the four rounded corners of the Square. The place is surrounded by a broad and heavily trafficked motorway.

In May and June of 2009, Independence Square hosted the 17th exhibition of the United Buddy Bears project. The Buddy Bears are life-sized fiberglass bear sculptures created by Austrian sculptor Roman Strobl. The outstretched arms of the standing Buddy Bear symbolize friendliness and optimism. The Buddy Bears have appeared in Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Cairo, Shanghai, and St. Gallen, Switzerland.