What if I told you this building is a micronation? It’s called Parva Domus. Officially, it is the Republic of Parva Domus Magna Quies. That’s Latin for “small house, big rest.”
Parva Domus is a self-proclaimed republic. It’s surrounded by Montevideo. This nation has been a civil, cultural and recreational association since 1878.
Parva Domus is not just a building. It is a micronation with social and recreational aims. Its citizens use flamboyant titles. The government has a president and ministers. The “presidential palace” is a neoclassical residence. It was built in 1919. Gardens and statues surround it. You will find it in Punta Carretas.
The constitution limits citizens to 250 men. Over 130 years, over 843,297 men have been citizens. Famous citizens include Juan Zorrilla de San Martín. Others are Isidoro de María, Eduardo Rodríguez Larreta and Eduardo Fabini.
In 2003, the Uruguayan Postal Service honored Parva Domus’ 125th anniversary with a stamp. In 2007, it hosted diplomats from Uruguay and Argentina during a dispute.
Every year on Uruguay’s Heritage Day, Parva Domus opens its doors. It offers tours of its museum, gardens and theater.
José “Pepe” Achinelli founded Parva Domus around 1878. He liked to fish on Sundays. He took a horse-drawn streetcar to the Río de la Plata. Punta Carretas was rural then. Few buildings existed.
Tired of the commute with his fishing gear, he rented a room. Liborio Echevarría managed the rooms. Architect Tomás de Tezanos told Achinelli about them. For three pesos a month, he rented room number 4. It stored his things. Friends met there for meals.
Juan Riva-Zuchelli read Alphonse Daudet’s novel Jack at these meetings. The novel included the phrase “Parva domus, magna quies”. It means “small house, great rest”.
Inspired, Riva-Zucchelli wrote the phrase on the door. Achinelli learned the translation. He had it painted on the door. It became the society’s name.
Whites and Colorados joined the society. Achinelli designed a flag that wouldn’t represent either party. He based it on a British shipping company flag. A blue cross on a white background. Blue represents the sea. White represents purity. The initials PDMQ are in red. Gerónimo “Guirumín” Machiavello made the flag.
Parva Domus declared its “independence” on August 25, 1878. The Parvan flag was raised at 4 AM. Luis Longhider composed the “Marcha Parva Domus”. Fermín Rojas wrote the lyrics. José Oxilia sang it first.
The society grew. They rented more rooms. The rooms combined to create a larger headquarters. These meetings became known as “tenidas parvenses”.
Gino Pagano became the first director of Fine Arts. His caricatures and paintings are in the current headquarters. The museum holds items from Parva Domus’ history. The grounds have “streets” named after citizens.
On August 4, 1895, 32 members wrote a constitution. The society became the Republic Parva Domus Magna Quies. José Achinelli led the commission. Juan Turenne was the vice president.
The constitution established a presidential republic. Presidents are elected every two years. Article 6 states that the official religion is joy.
The original site was expropriated for Bulevar Artigas. The money bought land nearby. This became the current headquarters. Part of the land was sold to fund the association.
Only men invited by citizens can join. They must share the values of harmony, friendship and tolerance. Women can participate in some activities.
Two fountains flank the entrance. They are called the “fountains of Leteo.” Citizens dip their fingers in them. This symbolizes forgetting worldly troubles.
Meetings occur twice a week. They involve eating, drinking, singing and listening to music. Other activities include exhibitions and concerts.
Parva Domus has a flag, shield and constitution. It has a president, vice president and five ministers. It even has an “ambassador” to the Moon.
Famous citizens included José Irureta Goyena and Juan Campisteguy. Rubén Darío visited in 1912. Arturo Toscanini also visited.
Parva Domus celebrates its “independence” every August 25th. Members parade with instruments. They wear parodies of formal attire. They also host meetings with politicians.
Parva Domus issues humorous official statements. They mimic political formalities. They seek sea access and a spot in the UN. They claim they turned down a Security Council seat. Instead, they requested leadership of a new “Council of Peace”.
Parva Domus refers to Uruguay as the “neighboring Republic”. In 2008, the president stated that the republic teaches peaceful coexistence.
So next time you pass by, remember Parva Domus. It’s more than just a building. It is a tiny nation dedicated to joy and friendship.