Trinidad occupies an area of 5.5 square kilometres (2.1 sq mi) on an altitude of 134 metres (440 ft) above sea level.

[citation needed] Porongos was founded on 18 July 1805 by General José Gervasio Artigas, the Uruguayan independence leader.

It was renamed to "Villa de la Santísima Trinidad" (Most Holy Trinity) and became capital of the newly created Department of Flores on 30 December 1885 by the Act of Ley Nº 1.854.

In July 1903 it was renamed "Trinidad" and its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 2.829.

[citation needed] Nearby there are interesting prehistoric sites to visit: the Palace Cave and the rock paintings at Chamangá.