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On may 22nd, 1764, José Joaquín de Viana, the Governor of Montevideo, granted Don Bruno Muñoz and family seven suertes de estancia (each suerte equals to approximate six thousand acres), from Tornero Creek to Santa Lucía River and the Santo Domingo Hills.

In 1776, Don Juan Francisco García de Zúñiga bought that land, which was held by his family until 1858 when Don José Pereyra da Terra bought it from them only to sell it in 1907 to Santos Urioste. The construction is very typical of the times, with strong iron railings. Finally, in 1950, it was given its present aspect.

Tornero has a surprising park full of exotic trees. The junipers at the entrance were a present from Don Antonio Lussich one of the great forestry pioneers to Juan Carlos Urioste. Pines, cypresses and eucalyptus are more than one hundred years old, and many fruit trees are almost that old. New species are continually planted, to give their cool shade to the owners and increasing shelter to numerous birds. On the western side of the garden a huge granite table can be seen under a thatched roof. The single stone was cut in 1950 and it took 14 pairs of oxen to drag it to its present enclave.

Tornero has belonged to Matilde Gallinal de Gorlero since 1977. The severe drought of 1989 forced the owners to look for some other sources of income. They started to work it as a tourism estancia, taking advantage of the beautiful landscape, the comfort of the house and many other features that contribute to offer a very pleasant stay for their guests, who usually like to participate in the everyday chores of the estancia.

Most people spend the first couple of days sleeping, reading and taking it real easy, but soon they begin to participate in the every day chores in total communion with Nature. Most meals are homemade and thus, doubly appreciated. One inconvenience: It is easy to put on weigh.

Since 1911 the Gallinal family are Criollo Horses breeders. Since the first Spanish horses brought by Columbus to America until the conformation of the Criollo horse, there is a long history that covers many centuries, during which the adaptation to the environment to the great american plain constitutes the basis upon which the Criollo horses has built its roots. It is the pro duct of an adaptation to the environment and of a strict natural selection.

In 1941 the Uruguayan Horse Breeders Society was founded with the fundamental objective, among others, caring for the preservation of the purity of the breed. The principal conditions of these horses are nobility, rusticity and resistance.

e-mail:

matildev@adinet.com.uy