Chillan

The earthquake of January 1939 destroyed Chillan and killed a very large number of people - the death toll is among the worst in Chilean history. Mexico responded by funding and building a school, the Escuela Mexico, and sent two painters with it: David Alfaro Siqueiros and Xavier Guerrero, who covered the library and stairwell with murals in 1941 and 1942. Siqueiros's Death to the Invader sets Mexican and Chilean history against each other, with Lautaro, Caupolican, O'Higgins and Cuauhtemoc among the figures. The city also has one of the best market halls in Chile, and Bernardo O'Higgins was born nearby.

Background

Chillán lies about 400 km south of Santiago, and on 6 September 2015 it became the capital of Ñuble, then a newly created region. The city was founded in 1580 and grew into an important market where goods from Patagonia and the Argentine Pampas arrived over the mountain passes. Today it has a railway station, the María Teresa bus terminal and the Chillán Market, a many-block open-air market and street fair for fruit, vegetables and crafts. The nearby Nevados de Chillán and Laguna del Laja National Park draw visitors for skiing, hiking and hot springs. The 2012 census counted 174,777 people in the commune.

Source: Wikipedia, "Chillán"

What's there

• A city rebuilt after 1939 - one of Chile's worst earthquakes.
• A school built by Mexico - the Escuela Mexico, funded as aid.
• Siqueiros murals of 1941 and 1942 - Death to the Invader.
• A large covered market - among the best in the country.

When to go

Year round. A full day.

Good to know

The school is a working school and the murals are seen at set times with restrictions - checking ahead avoids a wasted trip. The city itself is modern and plain because of the earthquake. The market is busiest in the morning.

Nearby

The Nevados volcano complex and its hot springs are east; Quinchamali is south-west.

Key facts