History of Mercedes

Mercedes is a city located in the department of Soriano in Uruguay.

It was founded in 1788 by the Spanish governor of Montevideo, José Joaquín de Viana, and has been an important commercial and industrial center ever since.

During the Great War, the city was the scene of several battles between the Uruguayan and Argentine forces against the Brazilian invaders.

In the city there are several historical sites to visit, such as Plaza Independencia, where the monument to General Fructuoso Rivera, the first president of Uruguay, is located; the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes church, built in the 19th century; and the Teatro 28 de Febrero, inaugurated in 1905 and considered one of the oldest theaters in Uruguay.

See more about the history of Mercedes

See also information on Montevideo, Rivera y Brasil.