Happy TravellerWelcome to Fray Bentos, the capital city of the Río Negro Department in southwestern Uruguay, located near the Argentina-Uruguay border and the Argentine city of Gualeguaychú. This charming city is home to one of the nation’s most important harbors, making it a hub for commerce and trade. But Fray Bentos is more than just a bustling port city. It is also home to the first campus of the Technological University and the historically relevant industrial complex Anglo, a World Heritage site.
One of the biggest pulp mills in the world is situated close to Fray Bentos and the Libertador General San Martín Bridge, which was the center of the largest political dispute between Uruguay and Argentina during the 21st century. Despite this controversy, Fray Bentos remains a peaceful and welcoming destination for travelers from all over the world.
Geographically, Fray Bentos is located close to the border with Argentina and is about 160 kilometers (99 miles) due north of Buenos Aires, and 309 kilometers (192 miles) northwest from Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital. The town was founded as Villa Independencia in 1859 and became the capital of the Department of Río Negro in 1860. Its status was elevated to a city in 1900 and was renamed Fray Bentos, meaning Friar Benedict, after a reclusive priest.
Historically, Fray Bentos’ main industry has been meat processing. The Liebig Extract of Meat Company (LEMCO), an industrial plant owned by the Societe de Fray Bentos Giebert & Cie., was founded there in 1863. It was closed in 1979, after 117 years in operation. Today, a local history museum has opened on the site, showcasing the city’s rich industrial heritage.
Fray Bentos is also home to the Industrial Revolution Museum, located in the former meat processing factory of the Liebig Extract of Meat Company. The museum exhibits the machinery used in the meat and extract of meat process, the buildings, an 1893 Merryweather water-pumping machine, a complete canning plant, a plant where the meat was cooked, a laboratory, and more. It also has a museum for the artist Luis Alberto Solari, who was born in the city.
For sports enthusiasts, Fray Bentos has its own football league, the Liga Departamental de Fútbol de Río Negro, established in 1912, made up of 14 teams. Among the most notable are Fray Bentos Fútbol Club, Club Atlético Anglo, and Laureles Fútbol Club.
In 2011, Fray Bentos had a population of 24,406. The city’s economy has been driven by the meat processing industry, with Frigorífico Anglo del Uruguay (often referred to as Anglo) making corned beef there since 1899. The company diversified into soups, meatballs, and tinned fruit, and during the 1990s, the focus shifted to pies and puddings. Today, the Fray Bentos brand is owned in the UK by Baxters, which manufactures the product range in Scotland.
Fray Bentos is twinned with General Artigas, Paraguay, and is a hidden gem that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Come and discover the many treasures of this enchanting destination for yourself!
