Things to do in CONCEPCIÓN

Catedral de la Santísima Concepción (Cathedral of the Santísima Concepción)

Located in front of Plaza de la Independencia, the catedral de la Santísima Concepción was built between 1940 and 1950 by the architects Carlos Casanueva, Fernando Urrejola, and Ramón Venegas. Inside the cathedral, three aisles lead to the main altar, the altar of the Santísimo Sacramento, and to the altar of the Inmaculada Concepción, head of the Diocesan Church. Among its most valuable pieces is the wood carved ceiling, the vitrals that surround the superior portion of the temple, the Alejandro Rubio Dalmati paintings, the Cristo de Monvoisin at the altar of the Santísimo Sacramento, the tabernacle of the XIX century, and the polychromated wood image of the Santísima Virgen, work of the Sevillan Juan Martínez from the XVII century.

Museo de Arte Sagrado (Museum of Sacred Art)

The museum is found next to the Cathedral. There, different ornaments and religious objects are exhibited, heritage of the archdiocese of Concepción. One of the highlights of the collection is an ivory carved crucifix, awarded by King Phillip the II of Spain in the XVI century.

Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square)

It was given that name because it is there where the Independence of Chile was proclaimed on January 1st, 1818. The Plaza de la Independencia maintains its beautiful landscape of wide pavements and lushy tilia. At the epicenter are a resplendent water fountain and the column that holds the bronze statue of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture.

Plaza Perú (Peru Square)

It is situated at the end of the Pedro Aguirre Cerda diagonal, main road that connects the center of the city with the Universidad de Concepción. The Plaza Perú was built in 1942 and it is framed by a set of buildings of great urban and architectonic beauty, all of them built between the years 1942 and 1945. The Plaza contains a magnificent water fountain that constitutes an important milestone of the city of Concepción.

Paseo Peatonal Alonso de Ercilla y Zuñiga (Alonso de Ercilla y Zuñiga Pedestrian Walk)

Located at the commercial, financial and administrative heart of the city, it was designed for pedestrian circulation, community meetings and the development of the diverse activities that develop around it.

Plaza España Isabel La Católica (Isabel La Católica Spain Square)

It is located at the “Barrio Estación. ” The Plaza España is situated in front of the Ex-train station of Concepción and marks the beginning of the most important axis of the city that continues through the street Barros Arana, the Plaza de la Independencia, Paseo Peatonal, the Plaza Tribunales de Justicia and Diagonal street towards the Plaza Perú, finishing in the University Campus of the Universidad de Concepción. In the center of the Plaza España is the sculpture “El Cóndor de los Vientos,” from Lucien Burquier, a giant wind vane that turns indicating the wind direction.

Ex Estación de Ferrocarriles (Ex Train Station)

It is located at the intersection of the Avenida Prat with the street Barros Arana. The station was built in 1941 by the architect Luis Herrera, and in its hall is the mural “Historia de Concepción” (“History of Concepción”) created between 1943 and 1945 by the Chilean painter Gregorio de la Fuente. The mural is 6.2 meters long and 4.5 meters high. In it, the historical sequence of the city of Concepción from its origins to this day is artistically portrayed.

Campus Universidad de Concepción (Campus of the University of Concepción)

In this extense urban park of 130,000 mts² of surface, the different classrooms, faculties, sport areas and green areas of the Universidad de Concepción are found. Among its most distinguished pieces, highlighted by its architectonic and urban magnificence are the “Arco de Medicina,” (“Arch of Medicine”) la “Casa del Arte,” (“House of Art”) la “Casa del Deporte,” (“House of Sports”) la “Biblioteca Central,” (“Central Library”) and the “Campanil,” (“Bell Tower”) being the latter recognized as the symbol of the University as well as the symbol of the city. In Addition, there is the “Foro Universitario”, which is a grand outdoors amphitheater where artistic and cultural events for the city and the college community are regularly carried out. In front of the Foro Universitario is the sculpture of Enrique Molina Garmendia, founder and first chancellor of the University. The sculpture was created by Samuel Román. The university also has beautiful gardens, sculptures and a diversity of fauna that includes black neck swans, bustards, upland geese, pudues, and wild ducks.

Casa de Arte (House of Art)

The “Casa de Arte” was built in 1963 by the architects Cáceres and Rodríguez to house the Pinacoteca of the Universidad de Concepción, that contains the most complete and valuable collection of national paintings. In the access hall is the mural “Presencia de America Latina,” (“Prescence of Latin America”) from the Mexican painter Jorge González Camarena, created between 1964 and 1965. Created with the acrylate technique, it has a surface of 240 mts² developed in a central canvas of 20 × 6 mt, and two lateral canvasses of 7.6 × 6 mt, and artistically integrates the stairs that lead to the second floor. The theme of the mural represents the fusion of the different races and cultures. In the center of the mural is portrayed the original couple, a conqueror with an armor and a native woman, mixed together with stripes representing the mineral and agricultural richness of the Latin continents, flags of the Latin countries, native faces, Mexican symbols, and a naked woman, representing Latin America. All of this is immersed in a game of proportions that captivates its spectators with flashing color combinations.

Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción (Natural History Museum of Concepcion)

Located at the “Plaza Acevedo,” in it are displayed aspects of prehistory, history and natural resources of the Región del Bío Bío. Recently remodeled with the most modern museographic techniques, it introduces the visitor to the comprehension of the universe, the geological formation of the region, and the mapuche culture. The permanent exhibition includes different spaces and subjects such as “El Museo y los Naturalistas,” (The Museum and the Naturalists), which introduces the visitor to the history of the museum and the description of Chile. From the hallway of the “Grandes Preguntas” (“The Great Questions”) about the universe, the “Nuestro Pasado Remoto” (“Our Remote Past”) room can be entered. The regional ecosystems are also represented, like “El Borde Costero” (“The Coast Edge”), “El Rio Bío Bío” (“The Bío Bío River”), and “El Bosque” (“The Forest”). Also, there is the area called “Presente y Futuro” (“Present and Future”) that exhibits examples of creative projects oriented towards the sustainable development of the region, which delivers a final reflection to the visitor about the possible future of our natural and cultural surroundings.

Parque Ecuador (Ecuador Park)

Settled at the bottom of the cerro Caracol (Caracol hills), and east of the Plaza de la Independencia, the Parque Ecuador is an extensive green area of approximately 1,000 mt long, from Serrano street to Tucapel street. There, you can find a great variety of native trees and bushes, great extensions of lawn, sport courts, children playgrounds and numerous recreative areas.

Cerro Caracol (Caracol Hills)

They are the highest hills of Concepción, with 256 mt of height. It was named “Caracol” (“Snail”) due to the road that communicate the city with the interior of the hills, which has a spiral shape. The cerro contains native and non-native vegetation surrounded trails that lead to numerous miradors from where the city and the Bío Bío river can be observed and photographed.

Río Bío Bío (Bío Bío River)

Its name means “Huio Huio” or “water rumor” in the mapuche language. Of great historical significance, during the Colonial times it was the frontier of the colonizing advance as well as the great scenery of the “Guerra de Arauco” (“War of Arauco”) and the battles for National Independence.

Puente Juan Pablo II (Juan Pablo II Bridge)

Located above the Bío Bío river, it is the longest bridge in Chile with 2,450 mt of length. It connects the cities of Concepción and Talcahuano with the communes of San Pedro de la Paz, Coronel, Lota, and the province of Arauco.

Puente Llacolén (Llacolén Bridge)

Located a few meters south of the Puente Juan Pablo II, it was inaugurated in February of 2000, and it’s the second longest bridge of the country with 2,157 mt of length. Perpendicular to it, at the riverside of the Bío Bío river, the “Avenida Costanera” is located as well as an extensive urban park with sculptures from national artists such as: Manuel Fuentes, Otto Schade, Fernando Undurraga, Matías Pinto, and Juan Díaz, among others.

Things to do in around CONCEPCIÓN

Lakes

In the province of Arauco the lakes Lanalhue and Lleu Lleu can be found. The first one possesses an excellent infrastructure of family cabins at the lake shore. The lake is within a unique natural environment in which several activities such as trekking, kayaking, horseback riding, and sailing, among others, can be preformed. The lake Lleu Lleu is located in the middle of the Nahuelbuta mountains, among native forests, agricultural grasslands, river valleys, and countryside lands. Its water is classified as one of the most pure in Latin America and it is one of the last natural reservoir of the region. It counts with touristic services such as campings, cabins, picnic areas, and in it you can carry on different activities similar as in Lake Lanalhue, like horseback riding, sailing, sports fishing and swimming.

Hot Springs

The main hot spring center is found 1,600 mt above sea level at the bottom of the “Volcán Chillán” (Chillan Volcano). The mineral properties of its waters, which have an average temperature of 60° C, are adequate for treating and relieving different types of afflictions via mud-therapy, natural sulphur vapor baths, temperate pools and the best hotels, restaurants and services. Near these hot springs, the “Las Trancas Valley” offers excellent touristic services, surrounded by a landscape of exuberant native vegetation, complementing its comfortable hotel infrastructure. The visitor also has the possibility to go on horseback riding and other guided tours through breath-taking mountain trails during the summer season.

National Parks

The “Laguna del Laja” National Park and the Ralco, Contulmo and Isla Mocha reserves constitute areas where several nature and outdoors related activities can be carried out, and they also preserve an ample variety of native flora and fauna.

Beaches

From north to south, we can find the Cobquecura beach, where four crags that emerge in front of the sea that constitute the habitat for a colony of sea wolves are found, and it was declared Sanctuary of Nature in 1992 along with the “Iglesia de Piedra.”

Down the coast there is Dichato, a beautiful beach of fine, white sands, where a great variety of aquatic sports can be preformed, and the visitor can taste the sea products in the several restaurants that are found at the border of the coast.

Further south, between hills and plains, is the city of Tomé, where the visitor can enjoy the beaches of Bellavista and El Morro. Only 5 km from Tomé is Cocholgüe, where cliffs, water sports available rough waters, and mystical rock formations make of this place one of the most attractive landscapes of the coast.

South of Concepción is Playa Blanca in Coronel, Laraquete and Punta Lavapié preceding the extensive beach of Lebu, where water sports can also be carried out, along with the enjoyment of the beautiful landscapes. Rocky coasts, cliffs of traitorous shapes and soothing sounds give life to the “Caverna Benavides” (“Benavides Cave”), named after a legendary pirate that inspired numerous legends.

Rural Tourism

In the Bío Bío region, this activity is developed through agrocamping, gastronomic tourism, educational farms, guided tours, rural cabins, horseback riding, and all the activities that allow the tourists to participate in agricultural work first hand and enjoy the natural resources of the area.

Ruta Del Vino Del Valle Del Itata (Wine Route of the Itata Valley)

The wines of the Valle del Itata have been awarded nationally. The valley is characterized by its colonial style houses and wine cellars built over 100 years ago that remain in perfect state to this day. The vineyards and cellars that contain superb Cabernet Sauvignons, transparent Chardonnays, excellent Merlots and samples of old vine strains brought by the Jesuits in the XVIII century can be visited. All the modern technology can also be appreciated, combined with the more rustic artisan processes of over 100 years of age. The stables, which are an important part of the country life in this zone can also be visited. Wine tastings are offered and their characteristics are accurately and clearly explained by expert enologists that can teach you to identify all the magic of the wine of the region of Bío Bío.