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Polaroid of the Week: Step Back in Time on Colonia del Sacramento's Street of Sighs, Uruguay

Polaroid of the Week: Step Back in Time on Colonia del Sacramento s Street of Sighs, Uruguay
While most travelers kick off their Uruguayan adventures in Colonia del Sacramento, we saved this enchanting gem for last.

Just a quick 1-hour ferry ride across the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires, Colonia contrasts sharply with Uruguay's typical sleepy beach and river towns. This colonial treasure was our final stop before returning to Argentina. Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, the city has expanded, but the old town remains untouched by time. Weathered wooden horse carts stand before rickety colonial houses with faded facades, lining ancient cobblestone streets that transport visitors centuries back.

This week, we spotlight Colonia's most iconic historic street: Calle de los Suspiros, or 'Street of Sighs.' Legends explain its evocative name. One tale describes 17th-century brothels lining the path, where sailors sighed in delight at enchanting women. A romantic version tells of a young woman stabbed while awaiting her lover, her final sigh echoing through Colonia. A darker origin involves condemned prisoners marched here to be drowned in the river.

Long ago rife with intrigue, today it's a pristine cobblestone lane preserving architectural heritage. Modern 'sighs' come from tourists marveling at its beauty—or navigating the uneven stones!

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