Santa Bernardina and the Pozo de los Deseos

You can discover Santa Bernardina through a place with an unusual history: the Pozo de los Deseos on Avenida Carlos Reyles. The well was once a natural spring used to quench thirst and also supplied water for operating old steam locomotives. Its history thus links everyday water supply with railway technology.

The Pozo de los Deseos and its history

The well, which had previously been abandoned and overgrown with grass, was inaugurated as a symbolic wishing well on 8 February 2020. Its history therefore brings together two meanings: its former practical use as a water source and its later symbolic interpretation. For visitors interested in how the place has evolved, it offers a tangible way to explore the history of Santa Bernardina.

An announcement from April 2022 described the Pozo as accessible to the public around the clock and as one of Durazno’s tourist attractions. For your specific plans, check the latest access information.

Visitor areas at the airport

Durazno International Airport is also located in Santa Bernardina. Visitors may enter all public areas. Restricted areas are different: for security reasons, passengers and crew members may enter them only when accompanied by authorized personnel. Before travelling, check the operator’s latest visitor information.

Guided visits for organizations or schools must be arranged with the airport in advance so that the necessary permits can be obtained. If you are planning such a visit, confirm the current procedures directly with the airport well ahead of time.

Landscape and culture across the wider destination of Durazno

Across the wider destination of Durazno, other nature and culture themes complement the local history of Santa Bernardina. This distinction can help with holiday planning: you can decide whether the history of the Pozo de los Deseos is your main interest, or whether you would also like to explore other landscapes and cultural themes in Durazno.

The Eco Sendero “Riberas del Río Yi” is 3,500 metres long and passes through natural areas along the gallery forest on the Río Yi. It connects the beach in the Puerto de los Barriles neighbourhood with the Paraje Rebollo area, which includes a beach and sandy areas. The trail was officially inaugurated in 2024. Its length and the named areas provide a clear framework for exploring the natural surroundings: the focus here is on a riverside trail and landscapes by the water.

Another aspect of the landscape can be found in La Paloma, also within the wider destination of Durazno. The Gruta de La Llorona is a sandstone formation more than 20 metres high, formed in a marine environment during the Lower Devonian, around 380 million years ago. In the surrounding area, the pronounced slope and humidity create a distinctive microclimate where native trees, ferns and culandrillos grow. The formation’s height and geological age describe two distinct dimensions of this place: its visible scale and its far-reaching history of formation.

Cultural attractions across the wider destination of Durazno also offer their own perspectives. The Museo Histórico Casa de Rivera is located in the former residence of General Fructuoso Rivera; the building has served as a museum since 1992. It houses the Department of Durazno’s archives, including an archive of documents, an archive of voices and music, and a photographic archive. The latter contains several thousand pieces of the cultural heritage of the department and the country. Alongside the history of the building and the museum, an extensive collection of different materials takes centre stage.

When choosing a holiday rental, you can weigh these themes separately: Santa Bernardina offers a local historical focus in the Pozo de los Deseos; the other examples belong to the wider destination of Durazno and range from riverside landscapes and geology to a museum and archives.

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