Monte Caseros combines a distinctive riverfront with traces of its railway history and public art. The Costanera’s pedestrian areas, green spaces, viewpoints and beaches are part of the cityscape; the riverside scenery can be enjoyed year-round. Visitors looking to focus their stay on culture and the Río Uruguay will find different ways to experience the town, from the open riverfront to stories told through individual buildings and works of art.
Costanera: Riverside Scenery and Public Art
The Costanera of Monte Caseros is an urban viewpoint on the Río Uruguay. Its pedestrian areas, green spaces and viewpoints offer different perspectives, while the beaches add to the riverfront. When planning your stay, set aside some time to enjoy the riverside scenery; you can also combine your visit with a look at the artworks along the Costanera.
El Aguatero is an imposing iron figure in the Costanera area. It pays tribute to the traditional trade of carrying water, bringing into focus the work that gives the monument its name and theme. Monumento Las Lavanderas is also a sculpture on the Costanera. It honors the women who shaped an era in the city, working with river water and the Corrientes sun. Both artworks tell of traditional occupations, but from different perspectives: El Aguatero recalls the carrying of water, while Las Lavanderas recalls the work of women by the river.
Kingfishers, white herons and cormorants live along the riverbank near La Cachuera. Those interested in birds can consider these species as another aspect of the local riverside environment. La Cachuera (Torre de Piedra) also has a history as a waterworks structure: originally, it was the first water intake point; a pump inside supplied the community and the central square.
Plaza Colón and Railway History
Plaza Colón is the historic center of Monte Caseros and was inaugurated in 1892. Together with the historic Estación del Este, it offers a way into the city’s past. In front of the station is the Paseo Mural del Este: this 84-meter-long sgraffito work depicts the identity of Monte Caseros. Its scale and technique make it a distinctive stop on a tour of local culture.
On the upper floor of the former Estación del Este, the Museo del Este offers a tour of objects and documents relating to the railway history of Monte Caseros. A visit to the museum complements a look at the station building with historical records and objects. Those interested in the town’s development can consider Plaza Colón, the mural and the museum as different ways of exploring its history: the historic city center, a public artwork about the identity of Monte Caseros, and a collection about the railway.
Carnival and Events
Monte Caseros is nationally recognized as the “Capital of Artisan Carnival.” Carnival is therefore a prominent part of the town’s cultural identity. Another facet of its events can be seen at Club Samuel W. Robinson: an event there qualifies riders from the province of Corrientes, Brazil and Uruguay to take part in a festival. The selection covers three categories: Gurupa surera, Basto con encimera and Crina Limpia. If you are planning your trip around this event, check the dates and program in advance.
More Cultural Attractions in Departamento Monte Caseros
The wider travel destination of Departamento Monte Caseros also includes Mocoretá. There, the Barco de los Inmigrantes in Plaza de los Inmigrantes depicts scenes of displacement, the arrival of immigrant families in Argentina and their new beginning. The Museo y Archivo Histórico de Mocoretá preserves photographs, historical documents, old tools, everyday objects and records of the first residents who helped shape the town’s development. The former railway station, now serving as the Casa de la Cultura, hosts art exhibitions, workshops and cultural activities; the program varies depending on what is on offer. These places are part of the wider Departamento Monte Caseros and complement the distinct cultural and riverside experiences of the city of Monte Caseros with perspectives from Mocoretá.
Back to the wider travel guide: Departamento Monte Caseros.
