Plaza José Ignacio

The name dates from the beginning of the 18th century, and there are two different versions about its origin. One of the versions expresses that it was in honor of a laborer or porter who inhabited the area around 1700 named Joseph Ignacio, while the other refers to the portuguese Pilot José Ignacio, who worked on the roads of this the area, around 1728. In 1763, General Pedro de Cevallos created the first Estancia del Rey, where the cattle and horses necessary for the development of the new towns that were affirming the Spanish colonization in our depopulated Banda Oriental were housed.

In 1835, new country granted this arid peninsula of sand to Pedro Paéz.

In 1877, the Punta de José Ignacio Lighthouse was inaugurated to avoid maritime accidents.

In 1909, the Surveyor Eugenio Saínz Martínez bought from the successors of Paéz the 404 hectares that he would divide and give rise to this town, but it was not until 1950 that the official plan for the division was approved by the Municipality of Maldonado.

Between 1954 and 1982, great advances were made in terrestrial connectivity from different parts of the country with the current town, making it possible for the first tourists to arrive. Starting in 1990, the village of vacationers and fishermen where people arrived by horse and cart began to become the spa chosen by the international jet set, its development in services, infrastructure and investments have gradually transformed it, and always maintaining its charm.