Arica archivos - Turismo Chile

Brief history of Arica

It is known that the first inhabitants of this zone belonged to the Chinchorro culture, the distinguishing feature of which was their mummification technique. Specimens may be seen at the Arqueological Museum San Miguel de Azapa. In 1545 the silver mine of Potosí, in the Peruvian highlands, was discovered, and this resulted in the...

Pukará of Copaquilla

This National Monument is located some 100 km from Arica. It dates back to the 12th Century, and had to be restored by the University of Tarapacá in 1979. It is sited in an angle in the cliffs with a double wall for defensive purposes at one end. The interior is composed of some 400 rooms with circular walls and stone floors. Below the...

Tambo of Zapahuira

This tambo, a traditional inn where travelers stopped to rest, is located 107 km from Arica and has been declared National Monument. Under the Inca Empire it also served for the storage of a reserve of textiles, food and arms, and this service constituted the contribution that the village rendered to Sapa Inca (name given to important...

Morro of Arica

The Morro de Arica, declared a National Monument and an important symbol of the city, is a hill...

Codpa

Codpa is located 110 km south of Arica, at an altitude of 2,050m above sea level. Long ago, during the pre-Hispanic period, it was the residence of the cacique of "Altos de Arica" who ruled over Socorama, Putre, Livilcar, Tignamar, and other communities. It is located on the headwaters of the river Vítor, which ensures a supply of...

Where to go in Arica?

Old Customs House The Casa de la Cultura de Arica, an important arts and cultural center, is...

Quebrada de Camarones y de Chiza

The quebrada is located in the north of Chile, a few kms south of Arica. It is a long, deep ravine...

San Gerónimo de Poconchile Church

This church is located in Poconchile, a village of pre-Inca origin at 35 km. from Arica. Founded in 1605, it was the first to be constructed in the area and had to be rebuilt in adobe in the 19th Century, when two wooden bell-towers were added. It has a park surrounded by a fence with an ornamental coping, and at the back there is a...