Independencia

Stumbled on an interesting bit of neo-Leninist architecture today ... randomly. Below is Plaza Independencia in Montevideo. Basically the main city square. Typical looking enough. Some guy on a 17m horse statue in the middle of the square, etc. (BTW, the building at center was the tallest building in South America at one point).

Dude on the horse is Uruguay’s version of George Washington ... General Jose Gervasio Artigas, who led the fight for independence in the 1800s (as well as breaking up rich landownership and giving land back to the people).

(Photo for Esteban's mom)

But beneath the statue ... is a 24 hour guarded mausoleum that houses Artigas' remains!

In an urn in a glass case guarded by live guards standing like statues (what a bummer of a job) in total colonial era uniforms ... in a dimly lit but expansive underground chamber that echoed in the total silence ... homeboy's remains.

Creeeepy! :)

Artigas' accomplishments etched into the walls in these huge Soviet-like concrete letters. Esteban and I looked at each other and were just speechless.