Treinta y Tres

Treinta y Tres is a small riverside city in east-central Uruguay and the capital of the department of the same name. It sits on the north bank of the Olimar Grande River, surrounded by cattle and sheep pastures, rice fields and grain farms that shape the regional economy and everyday life.

The city takes its name from the Treinta y Tres Orientales, the thirty-three patriots whose 1825 campaign helped set Uruguay on the path to independence. Founded as a town in 1853, it became the department capital in 1884 and later grew as a rail and road stop linking Montevideo with the east. Its centre is anchored by Plaza 19 de Abril, monuments, an obelisk and a tree-lined riverside park.

Along the river, Parque del Río Olimar is the city's main gathering place, with camping, picnic areas and walking trails. Southeast of the city, Quebrada de los Cuervos is the department's best-known natural attraction, offering forested gorges, waterfalls and viewpoints for hikers.

Treinta y Tres is strongly identified with Uruguayan folk music. It is the birthplace of composer Rubén Lena and home to the Festival del Olimar, one of Uruguay's most important folklore festivals, held each year during Semana de Turismo in the riverside park. Local food traditions draw on asado criollo, river fish and rural cooking.

Although compact, the city works as a commercial and service hub for the surrounding agricultural region and a practical stop along Route 8. Its relaxed pace, folklore heritage and access to nature make it a distinctive stop for travellers exploring Uruguay's interior, while its agribusiness role keeps it relevant for business visits.