“Phew, that’s better,” someone mutters behind you. This is the Old Collector Respirator. It stands as a quirky monument to public health. We are at the end of Calle Guarnai on Montevideo’s Rambla. This is where you find the Antiguo Respirador De Colector. That’s its name in Spanish.
The Old Collector Respirator may look odd. But it served an important purpose. Imagine Montevideo’s early sewer system. It channeled some truly offensive gases. These gases came from the city’s sewer lines. The Old Collector Respirator vented them high into the air. This made life much more pleasant for locals.
The city’s sewer network began in 1856. A national law authorized its construction. The Arteaga company built the system. It kept expanding until 1913. The Old Collector Respirator played a key role in this network.
This ventilator stack is the last of its kind. Once, a twin stood a couple of kilometers away. It was on Paraguay Street. However, progress intervened. The twin was in the path of a new boulevard. It was demolished.
Fortunately, this Old Collector Respirator was spared. The city recognizes its importance. It maintains it as a National Historic Heritage site. So the Old Collector Respirator stands alone. It is a reminder of Montevideo’s past.
Think about the people who lived here long ago. They dealt with unpleasant smells. The Old Collector Respirator improved their lives. It protected them from sewer gases. This simple structure made a big difference.
Now, look at the Old Collector Respirator again. Appreciate its simple design. It is a testament to practical engineering. It solved a smelly problem. It reminds us that even humble structures can have great value.