Did you ever hear about the corner of the arm of the Oriental? That’s where the name of Brazo Oriental comes from.
Brazo Oriental is a barrio in Montevideo. It is a residential zone about 5 kilometers from the city center.
Let’s dive into the story of how Brazo Oriental got its unique name. Back in 1910, a dramatic knife fight unfolded right here. The fight was between an Argentinian and a Uruguayan. Locals referred to Uruguayans as “Orientals” back then. The clash occurred at the corner of what are now San Martín and Luis Alberto de Herrera avenues.
The Argentinian was younger. He was also seemingly more agile. But the Uruguayan prevailed. He won because of the power of his arm. The location was then dubbed “la esquina del brazo del Oriental”. This translates to “the corner of the arm of the Oriental”. Over time, this phrase became the name of the growing barrio.
Brazo Oriental is bordered by several other barrios. La Figurita and Jacinto Vera lie to the south. Bolívar is to the east. Cerrito de la Victoria is to the northeast. Aires Puros sits to the northwest. Atahualpa is to the west. The boundaries are clearly marked. Artigas Boulevard is to the south. Burgues Avenue is to the west. José Batlle y Ordóñez Boulevard is to the north.
Brazo Oriental has several landmarks. The Museo de la Casa de Luis Alberto de Herrera is here. He was a historical leader of the Partido Nacional. Also here is the Escuela Superior de Comercio. It belongs to the Universidad del Trabajo del Uruguay or UTU. The headquarters of the Colón F.C. sports club are in Brazo Oriental. You can also find the public sports facilities of “Plaza de deportes 12” here. It includes a gymnasium, a swimming pool, basket courts, and a sprinting stripe.
Many bus lines serve Brazo Oriental. These include lines 76, 185, and 186 on Artigas Boulevard. Lines 155, 156, 396, 404, and 456 run on San Martín avenue. Burgues Avenue is served by lines 150 and 158. General Flores avenue has lines 169, 175, 199, and 505. Luis Alberto de Herrera avenue is served by lines 181, 182, 183, and 306. Finally, José Batlle y Ordóñez Boulevard has lines 2 and 173.
Brazo Oriental is a vibrant mix of history, sports, and community. Remember the story of the corner of the arm. It’s a reminder of the neighborhood’s unique identity.