The idea of a city in the area was first raised in 1753 by Jose Joaquin de Viana, the governor of Montevideo, who wanted to create a population centre in "the zones of the mines".

He commissioned Rafael Perez Del Puerto to design the layout of the city, the basis of which remains in place today.

[citation needed] On October 8, 1830, it was declared a town, and on June 16, 1837, by decree Ley Nº 158, it became the capital of the "Department of Minas".

Its facilities include restrooms, a garden, two playgrounds for children, a swimming pool, an area for picnic, a restaurant, a walking trail, parking lots, a small farm with a few animals (peacocks, swans, llamas), several sport pitches and a small stadium, in which two yearly festivals take place, one in April "Minas & Abril" and the other in October "Semana de Lavalleja".

Villa Serrana is a scenic village located in the hills about 25 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of Minas.