Soriano

Mercedes is the capital of Uruguay's Soriano Department, set on the south bank of the Río Negro in the west of the country. Founded in 1788 as Capilla Nueva de las Mercedes, it has grown into a calm riverside city known for its waterfront promenade, colonial-era architecture and strong ties to agriculture and river trade.

The historic centre is anchored by the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy and Plaza Independencia. A few kilometres west of the city, Castillo Mauá is a neoclassical estancia castle built in the mid-19th century, with a park, an artisanal winery and a small paleontological museum.

The riverside rambla is the city's most popular gathering place, backed by cafés, restaurants and open views over the Río Negro. Visitors can swim at river beaches, take catamaran cruises, watch powerboat racing, or use Mercedes as a base for nearby Villa Soriano, one of Uruguay's oldest European settlements.

Agriculture, dairy production and the river port shape the local economy, giving Mercedes a working-city character alongside its leisure appeal. Events such as Jazz a la Calle, Soriano Cocina and the sunflower festival bring seasonal energy, while the food scene centres on parrilla, river fish, artisanal cheeses and local wines.

For both leisure and business travellers, Mercedes offers a relaxed introduction to western Uruguay: a historic river city with accessible nature, regional gastronomy and practical road links across the country.