Nueva Helvecia

From Halal Explorer

Reloj de flores y banderas en la Plaza de los Fundadores - |Plaza de los Fundadores

Nueva Helvecia, commonly called Colonia Suiza, is a city in Uruguay.

Situated around 60km southeast of Colonia del Sacramento, this little town looks a bit like Switzerland transplanted to South America, complete with Central European crests adorning the houses.

The town was founded on April 25, 1862, by European invadors, mainly Swiss, who started to grow crops. It soon became one of the most important agricultural areas in Uruguay. It was here where in 1868 the first mechanical threshing machine of Uruguay was installed, followed in 1876 by the first steam-powered mill.

The town's official name, Nueva Helvecia, means "New Helvetia", from an old word for Switzerland. The alternative name Colonia Suiza means "Swiss Colony".

Travel to Nueva Helvecia

Buses are available from Montevideo and Colonia.

How to get around in Nueva Helvecia

What to see in Nueva Helvecia

Primera Capilla Evangélica - Nueva Helvecia 2 - Primera Capilla Evangélica

  • Plaza de los Fundadores 18 de Julio and 25 de Agosto -34.284908, -57.233240 - FIESTA SUIZA 1 DE AGOSTO.JPG Designed by architect Luis Mazzini, with its monument and the flower clock.
  • Santuario de Nuestra Senora de Schoenstatt - Frau Vogel and Guillermo Tell -34.288802, -57.231935 - Built in 1943, in the Parque del Colegio de Hermanas.
  • Escuela de Lecheria - dairy college -34.299548, -57.215395
  • Molino Quemado - steam mill -34.289640, -57.289268 - MolinoQuemado A Built in 1876
  • Tanque de OSE


  • Capilla Católica - Catholic chapel -
  • Cooperativa de Viticultores Ozark - Winegrowers cooperative -
  • Tiro Suizo


  • Parque Municipal Jose Pedro Varela With a campsite and public swimming pool.
  • Primera Capilla Evangélica and Templo Evangélico - 34.292653, -57.231899 next to the Plaza de los Fundadores - Templo Evangélico - Nueva Helvecia . Two old churches next to each other. The First Evangelical Chapel (Primera Capilla Evangélica) was built in 1863 by the collaboration of the town's evangelical and Catholic religious communities. The much larger Evangelical Temple (Templo Evangélico) was built two decades later and had its inaugural sermon in 1887.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Nueva Helvecia

  • The traditional market on Wednesday mornings.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Nueva Helvecia

Halal Restaurants in Nueva Helvecia

A distinctive Swiss-influenced Uruguayan cheese, Queso Colonia, originated in Colonia Suiza. It's also worth trying papas a la suiza, a local specialty consisting of shredded potatoes cooked in a sort of loose pancake.

  • Restaurant Bungalow Suizo - Federico Fischer 355 -34.315087, -57.231901 next to the Hotel Suizo Opening Hours: 12:00–15:00, 20:00–22:30 Restaurant Bungalow Suizo . An elegant restaurant in a large room evocative of Switzerland—a connection strengthened by all the Swiss pastoral decorations: crests, cowbells, photos, tools, etc. Typical Uruguayan cuisine as well as more distinctive Nueva Helvecia specialties.

Muslim Friendly hotels in Nueva Helvecia

  • Hotel Suizo - Granja Hotel Suizo - Federico Fischer 355 -34.3151090, -57.2318470 ☎ +598 4554 4002 Doubles from U$2800

Telecommunications in Nueva Helvecia

News & References Nueva Helvecia


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