La Serena - Culture

La Serena, the second oldest city in Chile, is the capital of the Fourth Region. The city was founded in 1544 and rebuilt in 1549 by Don Francisco de Aguirre after being destroyed by natives. It still keeps as its most characteristic features the square block layout surrounding the original Plaza de Armas and the neo-colonial or Spanish style of its buildings. The mining boom of the Norte Chico during the 19th century had a great impact on the city’s development. The majestic churches and beautiful houses still visible today date from that time. During President Gabriel Gonzαlez Videla’s government in the middle of the present century, La Serena developed important public works and buildings in keeping with the city's traditional styles. In the last twenty years, the fruit export boom, mining and especially the important growth of the service and hotel infrastructure, have made La Serena the main tourist and business center of the region.

Start your visit at the Plaza de Armas where you will see the Cathedral, built of stone in 1844, and President Gonzalez Videla’s house, an old adobe construction which today houses the Regional Historical Museum. Other places of special interest include The Church of San Francisco with its Religious Art Museum, the Archeological Museum with its pre-Hispanic cultural artifacts and also the Ignacio Domeyko mineralogical Museum.

La Recova Municipal market with its handicraft fair offers an important variety of typical products. Among these the "Combarbalita" stone figures , lapizlazuli jewelry, alpaca wool knitting, ceramics and confections, stand out.

It is extremely pleasant to stroll through the Pedro de Valdivia Park, and the Japanese Park with its Garden of the Heart ("Jardνn del Corazσn"), and Finally walk down Francisco de Aguirre Avenue as far as the Light House monument (Faro Monumental). The light house marks the beginning of the modern Avenida del Mar, an entertaining beach road which borders the coast toward the south and constitutes the tourist activity center of the city.

From La Serena, one can journey through the Elqui River valley to visit the city of Vicuρa with its parochial church, the Bauer Tower which houses the Municipal offices, and the Solar de Madariaga museum home as well as the museum dedicated to Chile’s Nobel Laureate poet, Gabriela Mistral. Up the valley and nestled in the mountains lies Monte Grande, Gabriela Mistral’s home and final resting place.

The port of Coquimbo lies just South of La Serena along the Pan American highway. From there it is a short distance to La Herradura, Las Tacas, Puerto Velero and Tongoy resorts.

La Serena has several recreation to areas, a gambling casino, hotels and first class restaurants.