Day after day the city of Iquique promotes the attractions along its coast, the bounty of the sea, the great surfing conditions; all for those who wish to enjoy stable and warm climate. In addition, farther inland, the local cultures serve up their traditions and customs.
Typical foods, ways of life and patrimonial architecture are just part of the path that leads to an impressive end: the majestic high plateau.
Province of Iquique
– Pisagua: located between the Punta Pichalo and Punta Pisagua peninsulas, it houses many patrimonial buildings, which are a clear example of saltpeter’s grand past.
Highlights among the buildings that have been catalogued as national monuments are the Teatro Municipal (Municipal Theater), which dates back to 1892. Also found here is the Edificio Carcel (Jailhouse), built in 1940 in a neoclassical style, and the Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower), this location’s most recognizable landmark. It has a height of 12 meters.
– Iquique: the city of Iquique has been a part of our country since 1884. During the last few decades, it has become the region’s most important pole of development, promoting tourism as one of its most relevant activities.
The regional capitol offers interesting lodging, a casino, pubs, restaurant and all the infrastructure needed to receive all kinds of visitors.
Among this city’s greatest attractions, we may find:
– Teatro Municipal (Municipal Theater): declared a National Monument in 1977, it was built in 1890 and is characterized for having four female figures at its façade that represent the four seasons. It is mostly built in wood, and its objective was to play host to different artistic manifestations, like operas, zarzuelas and plays during saltpeter’s heyday.
– Astoreca Palace: in 1904, Juan Higinio Astoreca, the owner of a few saltpeter works, commissioned the construction of this imposing building, which is made entirely out of spruce pine. It has 27 rooms decorated with different styled furniture.
– Baquedano walkway: this road, originally called Manuel Baquedano Gonzalez, is a testimony to the splendorous past saltpeter granted the region. By covering its entire length, one may see the constructions commissioned by the aristocracy of the time.
– Customs building: it was built in 1871 in a classic colonial style. It has two stories and an octagonal lookout point in the center.
It is considered a National Monument, for it has been the scene of some of the most important moments of our history, like the day Arturo Pratt announced the blockade of the port by Chilean ships.
Province of the Tamarugal
– Isluga: this township’s main attraction is a beautiful, typical high plateau church that dates back to the XVII century. It has a bell tower that is adorned with figures that resemble pigeons at its tip.
The houses present in Isluga are characterized for having a ceremonial connotation because the most important room is the one where family rituals are held.
– Colchane: this town, capitol of the comuna that bears the same name, is located at 3,800 masl, in the middle of the high plateau. It contains natural beauty that is an interesting source of attraction for tourists, such as the Puchuldiza hot springs (located 4,000 masl). It has rustic and natural pools.
The Chusmiza hot springs are found from Colchane to Huara, at over 3,000 masl. It has 40ºC waters, which are recommended for bone, blood and skin related afflictions. Beside this thermal complex, the locals have developed an interesting terrace farm.
In Cariquima, a village surrounded by the snow covered peaks of the same name, it is possible to perform adventure tourism.
– Huara: here, we find the Libertad general store, a pharmacy from the last century that today has become a true museum in the middle of the pampas. Although the store is not running, it preserves its premises and many elements from the times (porcelain jars, pharmaceutical books, among others).
It is also possible to appreciate the relics that the very townspeople have gathered and which date back to the Pacific war, with highlights including badges, bullets and period objects.
– Tiliviche gully: at this spot, it is possible to find many geoglyphs in an assorted of different figures, stand outs being the humans and llamas. In addition, another attraction of the gully is the English cemetery (National Monument), with outstanding ornate mausoleums belonging to those that reaped the benefits of saltpeter.
– Matilla: small oasis set in the desert that houses the town of the same name founded n 1860. Its main attraction is its church and bell tower, made from anhydrite and borax stones.
– Pica: this town is a beautiful oasis located in the middle of the desert (at 1,325 masl) and it contains an interesting historical quarter. Around this area, one may find a National Monument: San Andres church (patron saint of Pica), built around 1880. From here, one may also tour the surrounding areas, like Collahuasi mine, Huasco saltpan and the Quisma gully.
– Camiña: located north of the province of the Tamarugal, the comuna (county) of Camiña is characterized by its adobe houses and its church, which has a portal that was constructed in the XVIII century. In this zone, it is also possible to see some beautiful petroglyphs that represent animals, suns, a winged man and other signs that have yet to be deciphered.
Mateo de Toro y Zambrano convocó a cabildo abierto