LAVALLEJA

About Lavalleja

The traveler is attracted by the enchantment of this region.

Rolling hills, valleys, streams and waterfalls cover an area of 10.148 Km2. "Cerro Arequita" with its forest, the crystal clear waters of the river "Santa Lucia", the cascade flowing down the "Cerro Penitente" are breathtaking views.

Minas has the most important holiday area of the country The UTE-ANTEL national park offers modern and comfortable accommodation.

The panoramic route number 8 joins 'Valle de Aguas Blancas" with the city of Minas, rich in history and tradition.

Rafael Perez del Puerto together with a group of Spanish families founded Minas in 1783. A year later our hero Juan Antonio Lavalleja was born here. His house can still be visited, it is near the Cathedral and the Lavalleja theatre.

Minas became a province on 16th June 1837, and in 1927 its name was changed to Lavalleja.

The economy of this province is based on agriculture. The cattle exhibition is held in October.

Minas was named after an ancient gold mine. There are various companies, which extract sand, stone, quartz, limestone, and marble.

Compania Salus, produces beer and other drinks and it is famous for its mineral water taken from "Fuente del Puma" the park, which has more than 100 hectares, is surrounded by forests and it is this landscape that inspired the famous composer Eduardo Fabini. "Casa de la Cultura" offers magnificent works of art by famous artists such as Morosoli, Ribeiro, Dossetti, and Duarte, among others.

There is a festival held every year on the second week of October called "Semana de Lavalleja".

The locals gather round bonfires to play the guitar and sing. Then in April millions of Catholics visit the 'Virgen del Verdun", which stands on "Cerro del Verdun". In this same month, there is another festival where people of this province get together and enjoy themselves, because they say that "if God comes down to earth, it will be in Minas and in April".