Perhaps you’ve wondered how this neighborhood got its unique name? Reducto, meaning redoubt, has a story rooted in military history.
Let’s delve into the history of Reducto. It appears on maps long before the area’s urbanization. In 1813, during the second siege of Montevideo, General José Rondeau fortified a house here. He transformed the quinta of Martín Gulart into a redoubt. This strategic move gave the area its lasting name.
Reducto’s history goes back to 1813. José Rondeau used Gulart’s quinta as his army’s headquarters during the second siege of Montevideo. He fortified it into a redoubt.
Over time, Reducto grew. In 1837, a small church was built at the corner of San Martín Avenue and Vilardebó. Later, in 1875, the Iglesia del Reducto was erected in front of Plaza General Eugenio Garzón. By then, about 4,000 people called Reducto home.
The area around Reducto has transformed over the years. The Hospital Vilardebó was built on land that once belonged to the Vilardebó family. General Flores laid the foundation for the Asilo de Dementes here in 1867. It later became the Manicomio Nacional, inaugurated in 1880. It became South America’s most important institution of its kind.
The Spanish community financed the Hospital Español. It opened in 1909 providing free care to those in need. The hospital closed for many years. But President Tabaré Vázquez reopened it in 2006.
Reducto has many layers. The Iglesia del Reducto stands on Garibaldi Avenue. It is separated from the Hospital Español by Plaza Cardenal Antonio María Barbieri. Facing the church is a monument to the urban worker by Uruguayan sculptor Bernabé Michelena.
Today, Reducto is known for more than just its history. It’s a vibrant barrio with a rich cultural heritage. Its main streets bustle with life. Millán Avenue and San Martín Avenue are key arteries. General Flores Avenue marks its eastern border.
Reducto was also a hub for Carnival. José Ministerri, known as “Pepino,” led “Los Patos Cabreros.” His rehearsal spaces were a neighborhood fixture. Reducto has evolved but its name remains. It’s a constant reminder of its origins as a fortified position in a city under siege.