Where did the name Piedras Blancas come from? This northeastern neighborhood of Montevideo owes its name to milky white quartz rocks. These large rocks once dotted the landscape.
Piedras Blancas was a key landmark. Travelers and those arriving in Montevideo used these stones as a reference point. Sadly these piedras blancas disappeared over the years. They were used in windmills and construction projects.
The last stones stood at the intersection of Avenida José Belloni and Francisco Sainz Rosas. That is according to local residents.
Let’s journey back to the late 19th century. Francisco Piria played a significant role here. He sold 239 subdivided hectares along Camino de la Cuchilla Grande now Avenida Belloni. This sale spurred development in Piedras Blancas. Later around 1909 the Banco Popular del Uruguay sold more land.
The No 17 streetcar transported people. It was joined by the No 51 from La Comercial and the No 13 from La Transatlántica.
Today Piedras Blancas stretches between Cno Mendoza and Rafael Street. Its borders include Bvar Aparicio Saravia to the south. The northern boundaries are Domingo Arena and Repetto roads.
José Batlle y Ordóñez also left his mark on Piedras Blancas. His quinta or country estate still stands. It is now a museum preserving his legacy. Family albums gifts from unions and mementos of labor laws are displayed. Batlle moved here with his family in 1911. His daughter Ana Amalia had tuberculosis. Doctors recommended a move to fresh air away from the city.
In 1942 part of the estate became a library. Named after José Batlle y Ordóñez it is now a cultural hub. It hosts activities and workshops for the community.
The Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Pompeya is another landmark. It is located on Helvecia and Azotea de Lima streets. Father Jacinto Tuccillo built it. Many Italian immigrants settled around the church. They sought refuge and a new life in Montevideo.
Piedras Blancas also played a role in Uruguayan aviation. Ángel Adami director of the flying school moved it here in 1915. The original location was Las Toscas. The move increased student attendance. The Centro Aéreo Club del Uruguay was here for five years. It moved to Melilla later. These years in Piedras Blancas boosted private aviation.
Every Thursday and Sunday the Piedras Blancas hosts a popular street fair. It takes place on Avenida General Flores and Avenida José Belloni. It brings the community together.
From humble beginnings as a reference point Piedras Blancas has grown. It became a vibrant neighborhood with historical and cultural significance.