Villa Soriano
Town in Soriano Department, Uruguay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Villa Soriano is a town in the Soriano Department of Uruguay. Historically, it was also known as Santo Domingo de Soriano. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay.[1]
Villa Soriano
Santo Domingo de Soriano | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Villa Soriano Location in Uruguay | |
| Coordinates: 33°24′0″S 58°19′12″W | |
| Country |  Uruguay |
| Department | Soriano Department |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 1,124 |
| Time zone | UTC -3 |
| Postal code | 75005 |
| Dial plan | +598 453 (+5 digits) |
Geography
It is located on the northwest end of Route 96, on the south bank of the river Río Negro, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) before it discharges into Río Uruguay.
History
In 1624, a Franciscan Mission established a village for the indigenous tribes of the area named Santo Domingo de Soriano. It constituted the first permanent European settlement on Uruguayan soil, predating the foundation of Colonia del Sacramento by more than fifty years. It was moved to its current location in 1708. The construction of its church began in 1751.
The town has strong associations with General José Gervasio Artigas, who is honoured by Uruguayans as the 19th century liberator of the country.
