Cerro San Antonio, Scenic viewpoint in Piriapolis, Uruguay.
Cerro San Antonio is a hill in Piriapolis, on the southern coast of Uruguay, rising clearly above the resort town and its waterfront. The summit can be reached by foot along marked trails, by car on a paved road, or by chair lift.
Francisco Piria, the founder of Piriapolis, developed the hill in the late 1800s as part of his plan to attract visitors to the new coastal town he was building. The chapel and the chair lift were added later, turning it into a destination for both tourists and worshippers.
A chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of Uruguay, stands at the top of the hill. Pilgrims visit throughout the year, especially on feast days, leaving offerings at the shrine.
Sturdy footwear is a good idea if you plan to walk up, as some sections of the trail can be steep and uneven. The chair lift is a straightforward alternative that also gives good views on the way up.
The hill is part of the Sierra de las Ánimas range, which runs unusually close to the coast, making the view from the top a rare combination of hills, sea and river mouth at the same time. On a clear day, both the Río de la Plata and the open Atlantic are visible at once.
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