Minas

-Minas is the capital of the Department of Lavalleja and it lies in the Southeast of Uruguay, exactly 120 kilometers away from Montevideo. Surrounded by the Minas and Carapé Mountain Ranges and by the beautiful Santa Lucía River.

-Its climate is humid and its scenery features countless delightful panoramic sights, both during the day and at night, from the heights that surround the entire city.
-Minas –Spanish word for “mines”- owes its name to the mineral richness in its soil. Its first dwellers were some Welsh families who settled down lured by the promising prosperity of the area, also very propitious for cattle-raising.

-Perhaps most striking is the unique geography of the department, with wide green landscapes and stone, irregularly cut as the eye flies calm and distant swaying in the hills. Wherever you go go with the mountains of hawks flown by preceding their horizon. Land where his heart mineral industry gave reason for existence for this population, although it has become today, leaving aside the great portland cement plants take center stage in the department's economy.

Sightseeing:

-The city offers varied proposals for visitors of all ages and tastes. Namely, tours around the historical shell and outdoor excursions that foster a harmonic contact with nature.
-While touring around the city, visitors come across Libertad Square, whose gardens and palm trees catch the eye of locals as well as visitors who walk about its magnitude for the first time. An enormous water fountain and a monument in honor of General Juan Antonio Lavalleja contribute their color. The House of Culture is the historical site where Lavalleja was born. Today, it houses the local museum, which displays various historical moments of the city along with the tasks of other great men devoted to Art. The cathedral and its simple façade are another alternative to see the architecture of the city.

Leisure:

-For lovers of outdoor activities, a tour around Mount Ventura is an excellent choice to start enjoying natural attractions away from the city. When reaching the top, visitors come across the greatest monument raised in honor of Uruguayan hero José Artigas. Due to their proximity, Cerro Pan de Azúcar and the seaside City of Piriápolis are two destinations worth visiting which represent the possibility of combining the mountains and the sea.

Activities:

* Park UTE - ANTEL in a huge and well-kept farm. The park offers the opportunity to stay at the hotel or the cottages, has a restaurant, games for kids iron, and outdoor swimming pool, a dairy where you can witness agricultural establishments typical tasks such as milking, animal areas or the nursery where you can buy more plants. The park can also go horse riding or walking on foot through the streets surrounded by groomed gardens. For those not staying at the park you can pay an entry ticket that allows them to enjoy the facilities all day.

* Its Freedom Square where stands the first bronze sculpture made entirely in Uruguay. The monument shows the General Juan Antonio Lavalleja, The work is by sculptor Juan Manuel Ferrari and was inaugurated in 1902. Freedom Square is beautiful by day and has sources in line with a colorful lighting that also make it very attractive at night. A block away is the cathedral of Mines, near the noise but also secluded, quiet, welcoming the pilgrims through the wide alley that connects with the square.
* After a good rest so we recommend is to get out of Mines and enjoy sightseeing of mountains which makes it unique to this department. The hill of Verdun, At Verdun is accessible by car to the middle but the last mile can only be done on foot. Penitent Leaping reachable through a spectacular landscape of mountains, 18 kilometers that probably will force you to stop several times to contemplate and take multiple pictures in your camera. The Penitent jump is in a protected area and is of great scenic beauty with a spectacular waterfall over 60 feet long.

Mariana Gonzales, Soledad Kleferd