Declaration of Santa Teresa National Park and Rural School
No. 70 as National Historic Monuments in Uruguay
Santa Teresa National Park and Rural School No. 70, both located in the department of Rocha, were declared National Historic Monuments in November 2024 by Resolution No. 298/024 of the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), through the National Cultural Heritage Commission.
Santa Teresa National Park
The designation recognizes the historical and cultural value of the park as a whole, including:
Prehistoric sites and archaeological evidence: The park contains traces of the region’s earliest inhabitants.
Historic buildings: The Santa Teresa Fortress, located within the park, had already been declared a National Historic Monument in 1927.
Cultural landscape: The vision of historian Horacio Arredondo is acknowledged, highlighting his role in the reconstruction of the fortress and the afforestation of the area, which shaped the park’s development throughout the 20th century.
Rural School No. 70 "General Leonardo Olivera"
The declaration also includes the rural school named after a key figure in Uruguay’s independence. It recognizes the institution’s educational role as well as its historical and cultural significance within the park’s environment.
Significance of the Declaration
This designation protects the cultural, historical, and archaeological assets of both the park and the school, ensuring their preservation and continued development for future generations.
Together, these sites form part of a broader cultural landscape that reflects the historical identity of the region and its contribution to Uruguay’s national heritage.