Schutzmantelmadonna
The city was founded by Governor Justo Daract on or around December 1, 1856, as "Fortín Constitucional", a mixed civilian-military fort, to protect the territory against attacks by the Ranquel aboriginal tribes. The original name was changed in 1861 to Villa Mercedes by decision of the residents, who had adopted the Virgin of Mercy ("Virgen de las Mercedes") as their patron.