Pittamiglio Castle (Castillo Pittamiglio)
Rambla Mahatma Gandhi 633, Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo, 11300
Located on The Rambla in Montevideo, it’s difficult to miss Pittamiglio Castle (Castillo Pittamiglio). The building’s red-brick towers, with giant protruding ships and fortress-like architecture, stand out among the modern skyscrapers. Designed by Humberto Pittamiglio and built in 1911, the castle is a tribute to the science of alchemy and its interior is full of obscure symbols with deep meanings.
The Basics
Guided tours of the castle reveal the hidden symbols and messages inside. Touring the inside of Pittamiglio Castle, you’ll soon discover that almost everything has a meaning. While square, circular, and octagon-shaped rooms symbolize Earth, eternity, and the halfway-point between the two, a tree represents the joining of the Earth and sky. Images of griffins, which appear in many of the rooms, represent the guardians of treasure, which many believe is hidden somewhere in the castle. You’ll also find Templar, Masonic, and Rosicrucian symbols inside.
If you are taking a private guided tour of Montevideo that lets you customize your itinerary, ask if you can add on a visit to Pittamiglio to learn more—this is especially a good idea if you don’t speak Spanish.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Pittamiglio Castle is a must-visit for those interested in architecture.
- Guided tours are typically only available in Spanish.
- There is a restaurant and small alchemy museum inside.
- The building is not wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Pittamiglio Castle is located on Rambla Mahatma Gandhi, the southernmost section of the Rambla of Montevideo, which runs all along the city’s coastline. It’s around a 15-minute drive east of Centro.
When to Get There
Guided tours of Pittamiglio Castle are offered at 5pm, Tuesdays through Sundays. The castle also hosts a number of special events, including concerts and magic shows: check the calendar on the website for details.
Pocitos Beach
Visiting Pittamiglio Castle puts you within easy reach of Pocitos Beach, a 20-minute walk away. This beach is popular with young people playing soccer and volleyball and the section of Th Rambla behind it is filled with upscale restaurants and bars.
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