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Many of us in Uruguay have looked up to the mountain with the big cross. Every time we drive the Interbalenaria between Montevideo and Punta del Este we face this view. Most of us „expats“ won’t have the chance to climb up this mountain and have a closer look.

  These northern views are seen from Interbalenaria.

Some 5 years ago I climbed up there and I can tell you, that’s a real tough one. We all age and can’t have the fitness anymore to do so. Follow the yellow arrows – see down here !!

That’s why I thought to give you some closer sights and a bit background of „La Cruz del Cerro Pan de Azucar“, the cross of the sugar loaf mountain.

  Southern view of the cross from an abandoned township.

The Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pan de Azucar) is located on the outskirts of Piriápolis, in a beautiful natural landscape. 423 meters high, it is the highest peak of department Maldonado and the third highest mountain in the country. For its variety of attractions around, it is a perfect spot to visit the whole family at any time of year.

  Entry to the wildlife park, the cerro from the east.

Sugar Loaf Mountain Wildlife Reserve and Park.

In 1980 a nature conservation and breeding centre for animals threatened by extinction was founded on its east side of the mountain. This sanctuary is recognized worldwide for it’s work with endangered animals and their educational work. Also you find recreation facilities, adventure and outdoor offers, a zoo, a restaurant and much much to see for young and old.

  Carpinchos (rodents) to watch at the park.

The Cross of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Conceived in 1933 by the famous poet of Uruguay Juan Zorrilla de San Martin and the Father Engels Walters.  Zorrilla’s idea and fantasie lead to this amazing Urugayan landmark. Sadly he couldn’t live long enough to see the finished monument.

  What a majestic cross this is.

The realization was in charge of the architects Alberico Izzola (son of Adela Piria) and Guillermo Armas O’Shanahan. The cross was built between 1933 and 1938.

  Impressive 35 meters high and over 12 meters wide.

It is made of reinforced concrete, measured 35m tall and has 12m wide arms. One can climb up inside by a spiral staircase of 102 steps up to the arms. Because of the height, nothing else is higher around, you will have a magnificent panorama view.

  Beautiful views all the way to Piriapolis.

On 27th of November 1938, the cross was blessed by Monsignor Aragone, during the 3rd. national Eucharistic Congress.

   Exhausting 102 winding steps up to the arms.

Juan Zorrilla de San Martín.

Juan Zorrilla de San Martin (December 28, 1855 – November 3, 1931), the conceiver of the cross on Pan de Azucar, was a Catholic Uruguayan epic poet – he is referred to as the „National Poet of Uruguay“ – and a known political figure.

  Juan Zorrilla de San Martin on the 20Peso note.

Two of his most famous poems are Tabaré (the national poem for Uruguayans) and La Leyenda Patria (The patriot legend).
He is author of the Hymn to the Tree (Himno al Arbol) a well-known Spanish poem later made a song in several Latin-American countries.

  Villa Zorrilla in Montevideo, now the Zorrilla museum.

As a political figure Juan Zorrilla de San Martín served as a Deputy for Montevideo from 1888 to 1891 and served as Ambassador several periods. Read also my post „Who are They – Part 1“, coming up soon, stay tuned.
He was twice widowed, and left 13 children when he died.

   Juan Zorrilla and his family members.

The internationally well known sculptor José Luis Zorrilla de San Martín was his son and father of internationally known actress China Zorrilla.
His grandson, Alejandro Zorrilla de San Martín, was to serve as a prominent Deputy, Minister and Senator.

  Inside of one arm of the cross of Pan de Azucar.

One of his several granddaughters became the most famous actress of Uruguay, Concepción Zorrilla, A.K.A. China Zorrilla. She was a disciple of Margarita Xirgu and moved to Argentina in 1971 where she had a distinguished career in theater, TV and movies also in Spain and other Southamerican countries.

   Yes, you can sit, 30m high, inside the cross and enjoy the view.

Her big successes in movies, Besos en la frente, Esperando la carroza (Waiting for the Hearse), Elsa & Fred and Conversations with Mother, for which she won the Moscow Film Festival award for best actress. She never married and never had children.

  Cerro de Pan de Azucar in the distance.

  Seen in the wildlife park, mum and her cub.

The Question of the Cross.

Fernando Fernandez, ideologist of the project and director of the documentary, in dialogue with weekly La Prensa, gave details of the film project he began in 2003: „It’s a documentary film and the idea began when we commemorated the 70th anniversary of the construction of the cross, with the title The Question of the Cross“.

  Title of the film which was made about the „Cross“ history.

The construction of the cross ends up being the „great excuse“ for interviewees to develop their stories and we open a window into that extremely ferment past, particularly here in Piriapolis, in the years 1920 to 1938. For this film also features photos many of them unpublished and footage of the 20s and 30s Fernandez stressed.

  Enjoyed the story about the cross on the sugar loaf ??

Fernando Fernandez: „A good opportunity to recover our memory“. A Film worth to see !!