Vicu�a was founded on February 22, 1821, by Colonel Joaqu�n Vicu�a Larra�n, who was the first intendant of Coquimbo's Province, by order of Bernardo O'Higgins, and was given the name of San Isidro's Villa of Vicu�a. In 1872, it became a city and was called simply Vicu�a, in honor of its founder
