Casapueblo with its Santorini look attracts nature lovers to Uruguay

ARTIST DREW HIS INSPIRATION FROM GREEK VILLAGE AND THE BIRD NESTS HE LOVED AND STUDIED

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

Top photo: The colors and shapes of Casapueblo
remind of Santorini, which inspired the architect.
From the air, Casapueblo spreads out above the sea.
Hotel rooms have ocean views and are not numbered.
 

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

AN ARTIST'S vision became his  fascinating summer home, now an international destination for those with a sense of adventure and a yearning for invention. Casapueblo looks like nothing else we've seen in several South American forays. Its winding cave-like corridors and white free form architecture remind more of the Greek Isles its designer loved. 

If we didn't know better, we wouldn't believe we were in Uruguay, thousands of miles from Greece. Once inside, dozens of artifacts and artful lighting add a mysterious feeling.  It is an intriguing building complex constructed by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró.  An African ant hill he observed also inspired his magical creation.

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers
outside the museum at Casapueblo.

HIS EXQUISITE use of materials mostly in white, seems both whimsical and "alive." It almost undulates in a soft breeze and is beautifully integrated with the landscape of this arid area.

EVEN THOUGH the property is expansive, the stone carved buildings give the feeling of  "areas" -- comfortable, welcoming spaces. It is located in Punta Ballena, 13 kilometres from Punta del Este, where until Vilaro's death in 2013, it was his summer home and workshop. It now includes a museum, an art gallery, a cafeteria and an unusual hotel.. The museum showcases the artwork of  Vilaró, whose paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and tapestries offer visitors a glimpse into his extraordinary artistic journey.

The museum at Casapueblo offers insight into the
exciting life of Uruguayan artist Carlos Vilaro.

Vilaró was inspired by the mud nests and houses of Santorini's Mediterranean coast when designing Casapueblo, a fairytale house and museum near Punta del Este. The nests, which are typical of Uruguay's hornero birds, have a side opening that resembles an oven's mouth. Vilaró described the style as anarchic and avoiding sharp lines.

Carlos Vilaro was inspired by Santorini, and its whitewashed
Mediterranean look.  He also loved bright colors. 

LOCATED ON a high rocky point jutting over the sparkling water of Punta Ballena,  Casapueblo sits majestically as both a magical sculptured hotel and a museum. It is referred to as the “Greek island of Uruguay” or the “Santorini of Latin America.”
The nicknames are apt because the structure’s Cycladic-inspired architecture enhances Punta Ballena’s sunset views to remind of the villages of Santorini which inspired Vilaro. He shared his passion with the world, christening it "house town" or "house of the people."

The original white building constructed in 1958 is the centerpiece of the complex which also houses a tribute to Carlos Miguel, the artist's son. He was one of 16 survivors of flight 571, a Uruguayan Air Force plane which crashed in the Andes on Oct. 13, 1972.

THOUSANDS OF visitors come to enjoy the place every year. Hotel rooms don't have numbers. Each key has a unique tile design which matches corresponding tiles on the guest room door. Unique -- as was Vilaro.

How to get there: Casapueblo is located in Punta Ballena, about nine miles (14.5 kilometers) west of Punta del Este,  a 15-minute drive. It's a bit over two hours from Montevideo. We highly recommend Pablo of Dream Tour Uruguay. www.dreamtour.com.uy

/dreamtour.com.uy

Montevideo's winding streets and beautiful
gardens are complemented by historic
buildings and classic architecture.

UP NEXT:  Uruguay's capital city Montevideo beckons, then we visit historic Colonia and Punta del Este. While Uruguay is overshadowed on most tourists' lists by the flashier cities of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, Montevideo has its own charms and is home to nearly 1.5 million people -- a third of the country's population.  The city is an exciting place to spend a few days, with a fascinating past and many convenient side trips an hour or two away. The strategic placing of Montevideo gives it an interesting history, situated on the southern coast of the country, on the northeastern bank of the Río de la Plata. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live. Catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, nature, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com