This is a statue of Jose Garvasio Artigas Arnal (1764-1850) considered a national hero and is called the “father of Uruguayan nationhood”…(too bad he didn’t ban ugly high rise apartments).

The Palacio Salvo is an Art Deco building from the 1920s originally built with a lighthouse in the tower.  I liked the gargoyles.  It is located across the street from the central plaza so Artigas looks at it day and night! – A