Europe was undergoing severe economic hardships during the second part of the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution affected many small artisans and family businesses. By law, Swiss mercenary soldiers could no longer fight for other countries and were returning home to find their families in precarious conditions that could not support any more members. The Americas represented a chance for progress and prosperity. Many Swiss came to North America during the California Gold Rush, but once the Civil War started in the United States, the Swiss emigrants started looking further south in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay for a better future. In Brazil there was a law that foreigners could not own land. In Argentina the colonists settled in indigenous territory and were not welcome, but Uruguay's government had a relatively open immigration policy. They were desperate to populate the country, which had but a few inhabitants at the time. The Swiss colony was given autonomy, and the first democratic secret vote in Uruguay happened in Colonia Suiza. The Swiss immigrants helped shape many Uruguayan laws, giving Uruguay the name of "Switzerland of the Americas", among many other contributions such as the classical production of Swiss cheese, also known as "Queso Colonia".
Settlement
The first Swiss settler was David Salomon Bratschi from Bern. He arrived in 1858, three years earlier than the first large group of settlers who arrived at the end of 1861. However, the day of Nueva Helvecia's foundation is considered to be 24 April 1862. This date marks the time when a large number of immigrants, mostly from Switzerland, but with a significant number from Austria, Germany, Italy and France, settled in the area. The foundations of Colonia Suiza, Colonia Valdense, Colonia Miguelete, Rosario and other towns are the consequences of this European immigration. The name "Nueva Helvecia" was given to "Colonia Suiza" some decades later. The arrival of Swiss, Austrian, Italian, French, and German immigrants was important to the subsequent political organization of a country that was receptive to foreign influences. Uruguay offered a range of alternatives to immigrants, like fertile lands for agriculture and grassland for livestock productivity.
Culture
The people of Nueva Helvecia have maintained Swiss traditions and customs to this day. There are several groups, including "Los Alegres Alpinos", and the "Alpenveilchen Grupo de Danzas", who still practice the songs and dances of their ancestors. However, today, very few Nueva Helvecia residents speak the language of their ancestors, likely due to intermarriage with other populations. Even among Swiss the different dialects prevented them from communicating with each other unless they used the Spanish language. The holidays and festivities include:
The 25th of April, corresponding to the anniversary of the foundation of Nueva Helvecia
The "Bierfest" in December attracts visitors from other departments and countries.
Architecture
The city, though located in Uruguay, shares a number of features and similarities with classical and early modern European architecture, mainly those of Switzerland, Germany and France, as a result of its close link with the cultures and societies of those countries. Unlike in other cities in Uruguay, every building bears a symbolic shield representing the different Swiss cantons where the family living in the house came from. This has become more evident in recent years.
Attractions
Plaza de los Fundadores
Tiro Suizo
Hotel Suizo
OSE Watertank
Molino Quemado
Evangelical Church
Roman Catholic Church
Cine Helvético
Economy
Dairy products, including milk, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, dulce de leche, and yogurt, dominate the city's economy. Nueva Helvecia also produces a variety of sausages and animal products, fruits and vegetables, cereals and wine. Until 1980 the Facansa enterprise produced bodywork for road vehicles.
Location and population
It is located in the southeastern part of Colonia Department, Uruguay. Its population, as of 2004, was 12,000.
