Memorial en Recordación de los Detenidos Desaparecidos, War memorial in Vaz Ferreira Park, Montevideo, Uruguay.
The memorial features two parallel glass panels mounted on geometric concrete bases, with 174 names of disappeared persons engraved into the transparent surfaces. The structure allows unobstructed sightlines to the Rio de la Plata while its clean lines and materials create a space that feels both dignified and open to the surrounding park.
Inaugurated in 2001, the memorial commemorates enforced disappearances during Uruguay's military rule between 1973 and 1985. Its construction came years after the dictatorship ended, reflecting the country's gradual process of confronting this period.
The engraved names on the glass panels create a direct confrontation with individual stories of loss, inviting visitors to pause and reflect on each person commemorated. The site serves as a gathering place where families and community members return to honor those who were taken.
The memorial sits within the open Vaz Ferreira Park and remains free and accessible year-round without time restrictions. Visiting during daylight hours works best, as this allows you to read the names clearly and see the river backdrop through the glass.
The design was selected through a national competition won by architects Martha Kohen and Ruben Otero, who drew inspiration from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial approach. The structure incorporates natural rock formations already present at the site, integrating the new construction with the landscape that was already there.
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