Francisco Piria
Francisco Piria, whose full name is Fernando Juan Santiago Francisco María Piria de Grossi, was born in Montevideo on 21 August 1847 and died on 11 December 1933. He was a Uruguayan inventor, alchemist, writer, politician and businessman of Italian descent, best known for creating the seaside town of Piriápolis.
His parents, Lorenzo Piria and Serafina de Grossi, were Genoese immigrants. After his father died early, his mother sent him to study in Italy. He later returned to Uruguay, where his uncle helped him receive a strong education in humanities and sciences. He started a workshop selling ready-made clothes on the corner of Treinta y Tres and Rincón streets and proved to be a savvy advertiser. He bought fabric and made long capes called Rémington to sell.
In 1890 Piria bought 2,700 hectares of land from the Sugar Loaf Mountain to the sea to build his dream. In 1905 he built the first Grand Hotel, Hotel Piriápolis (now Colonia Escolar de Vacaciones). In 1910 he began constructing a promenade inspired by Europe, especially the French Riviera. In 1912 the first auction of lots was held, and Piriápolis grew with many villas. He also built Piria Castle, a large house with a replica in Buenos Aires.
Piria died in Montevideo on 11 December 1933 at age 86, after suffering from pulmonary congestion, diabetes, uremia and heart weakness. His life and work are remembered in stories and works like the 2014 film Ciudadano Piria.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:31 (CET).