Montevideo Cabildo (Old Montevideo City Hall), Montevideo

The Montevideo City Hall is a historic building in the Old City of Uruguay's capital. Built on Constitution Square, opposite the Cathedral, this two-stored edifice was established to serve administrative and judicial functions.

Originally, the municipal council of Montevideo met in the house of Captain Pedro Groronardo, until in 1737 it was decided to build a designated headquarters. After a series of discussions, changes and various long-stops, caused by the continuous development of Montevideo at the end of the 18th century, the construction finally got underway in 1804.

Throughout the 19th-20th centuries, many important historic, political and social events took place at this heritage location. On July 18, 1830, in one of its rooms, the country's first Constitution was signed. Following that, it was the seat of the Uruguay's Parliament, whilst also serving as a prison.

In 1925, after the inauguration of the Legislative Palace, current home of the Uruguay's Parliament, the respective bodies left the building and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs moved in. In 1939, the City Hall saw intense diplomatic talks pertaining to the arrival of the German Navy ship Admiral Graf Spee that took part in the battle of Silver River (Río de la Plata). It was the first naval collision between Great Britain and Germany during World War II, and the only WWII episode in South America – occurred in Uruguayan territorial waters.

In the 1950s, the City Hall went back under the municipal management and became city history museum in September 1958. It is currently known as the Cabildo Historical Museum. It houses a vast collection of antiques, paintings, costumes, and historic documents. The entrance is free of charge.