It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay.

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.

The town has strong associations with General José Gervasio Artigas, who is honoured by Uruguayans as the 19th century liberator of the country.

[2][1] https://www.villasoriano.com/ Page documenting the founding of Villa Santo Domingo Soriano, Uruguay, in 1624.