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 Located in the Province of Paysandú, at approx. 336 km from Montevideo, on Ruta 3, Hostería & Estancia La Paz is a good example of rural-historic tourism; the open rural spaces are impregnated of the cultural colour and tradition of the region. The demands for new trends in eco-tourism can be amply satisfied here.
The natural attractions the place holds for tourists are reinvigorated: the ecosystem, landscape, agro-ecosystem, ethnographic values, cultural heritage, historical relevance, family values associated to the land, among others.
It was founded by Richard B. Hughes, of British descent, when he bought the land in 1857 from the heirs to Juan de Almagro. The former name of the “estancia” was “El Rincón”, situated in a strategic position and with one of the best soils in the area. In 1863 he owns the property and names it “La Paz”. It is in fact a land of peace...
 "We might say that most of the progress made in Uruguay during the second half of the 19th Century has the British seal on it... Thus we find that at the time, the salt-industry was lagging behind; it acquired new vigour and power when a British guy, Don Ricardo Hughes, founded the “factoría” close to Fray Bentos, which would be transformed two years later by another Britton, Don Jorge Giebert, into the Liebig Factory, a processing plant that would elaborate a brand new product: “meat-extract"
José Ma. Delgado: “Influencia de la civilización inglesa en el Uruguay” En Revista Nacional. Julio de 1953. Año XVI. Montevideo.
As from 1860 Uruguay started to undergo changes: it would be the first modernization of the country. Foreigners, mostly British, became a new social class in the rural sphere creating a new model for cattle exploitation in the south and in the banks of the Rio Uruguay. The British “cottages” were adapted to the ambience and materials available in the prairies. Hence, the setting up of a new type of construction “casco con mirador” (homesteads with lookouts).
Hostería Estancia La Paz is one of the paradigmatic examples of the changes the country underwent that goes beyond the architectural point of view and that in fact responds to a new economic and social reality. The construction, which has a ground floor with verandas, a well, and a chapel attached to the house, like every estancia of the period, boasts a “mirador” (lookout). This strategic part of the house was conveniently located on the roof and helped to spot the arrival of “thugs”, “heathen” indians or unknown “gauchos”. From here, signals with glass mirrors were made – real means of “communications” – this was how Carlos Arocena Artagaveytia reported the disease of the Durham bulls that were lying on the fields by the brook.
Religious celebrations of all kinds have taken place inside the chapel: baptisms, Holy communions and weddings. It is there, that lie Richard B. Hughes and his wife Adelina Rucker as well as Maria Helena Dumont de Wyaux, among other people connected to the estancia. The architecture, typical of Victorian England, reminds us of the chapels of Liverpool. Inside, we find a magnificent vitraux of a shepherd which is the reason for its name "Chapel of the Good Shepherd".
This specific rural estancia has set norms and paved the way to real rural progress since its foundation. According to several historians, Hughes was the first to wire the land in our country – the Hosteria & Estancia La Paz in the 60’s (1860).
The first Durham cattle that arrived in the country from England to serve criollo cattle and obtain a mixed breed were left to graze here. It is in the 20th Century, around the sixties, when another immigrant but from Belgium this time, buys the Estancia La Paz from Richard B Hughes’ heirs.
 The agronomist Pierre Wyaux and his wife Ma Helene refurbished the original homestead as well as the Chapel, sticking to its original style. They incorporated the Charolais breed with reproductive cattle brought for this purpose from France, a fact the family is really very proud of. Wheat crops are alternated with pasture and they provide the feed for the cattle, which is interbred on a regular basis. Rural tourism has come as a complement to these activities.
A PLACE TO VISIT AND ENJOY.
Prof. María Julia Burgueño.
Paysandú, February 2004. |
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