Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento, Colonia del Sacramento

The Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament is the oldest church in Uruguay and a defining landmark of Colonia del Sacramento's historic quarter, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Though formally dated to around 1810, its foundations trace back to Portuguese colonial-era predecessors from the 17th century, and the structure has been rebuilt and altered multiple times. It holds the papal title of Basilica minor within the Diocese of Mercedes and is dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament. Its tower rises above cobblestone colonial streets and is visible from the Río de la Plata waterfront. Inside, the relatively spare interior reflects successive phases of rebuilding, offering a layered record of Uruguayan ecclesiastical history within one of South America's most intact colonial ensembles.