Tourist information

History of La Serena

Culture Diaguita

By 1000 D.C. They came from the valleys trasandinos Diaguitas, who occupied the lands from Copiapo Choapa valley, and then to Aconcagua. Sedentary people that dominate agricultural complex, metallurgical and agro-pottery techniques, notable for its elaborate and fine pottery, which was made for domestic purposes and rituals. The Diaguita pottery is one of the most beautiful in America and a great pride for Chile. The best collections are in the Archaeological Museum of La Serena.

1536 The Diego de Almagro, in plan of conquest and desire discoverer enters Chile advance promising riches interested in these new territories. On reaching the valley of Copiapo, Almagro punishes several Indians, burning at the stake in presence of important caciques of the region, accused of desertion and murder of three Spaniards. Later, Diego de Almagro returned to Peru dragging the failure of his expedition.

1540 Pedro de Valdivia, conscious of housing and results of the expedition of Almagro, similarly decided to undertake the journey to these territories. On the day of Holy Grace enters the Coquimbo Valley a ravine, which was christened as "Holy Grace", in honor of that day.

FEBRUARY 1541 Pedro de Valdivia, after reaching Mapocho Valley, founded the city of Santiago in a solemn ceremony, naming Santiago New Matting, in honor of the Apostle Santiago, and his hometown, New Extremadura, immediately think quickly trace the site of a fortress, equidistant to Peru, an idea that later would become the future city of La Serena.

Juan Bohon 1544 founded the city of La Serena in compliance with the order of Pedro de Valdivia to create a place of rest and supply, between Copiapo and Mapocho river, which facilitate the communication with the Viceroyalty of Peru, and ensures mastery in Spanish region Thus, the people called "Villa Nueva De La Serena", located north of the river Elqui, where he lived the ethnic group called "Diaguitas" approximately since established 95 AC

JANUARY 1549 Product of an indigenous uprising led by the chief Michimalonco, the recent town of Villanueva de La Serena, is burned, killing all Spaniards that there recidían in retaliation for the cruelty committed against the indigenous population.

AUGUST 1549 Pedro de Valdivia entrusted to Francisco de Aguirre proceeding with its re-founding of the city of La Serena.

1552 The Spanish Crown, by Royal Charter, granted the title of "City" to the town of La Serena, making delivery of the badges, which show the fire and death of the inhabitants of his best settlement. La Serena thus becomes the second oldest city in Chile.

Die 1553 Pedro de Valdivia Tucapel around at the hands of the Mapuche led by Lautaro, a conflict occurs between the conquerors by the succession of the Government of Chile.

1557 Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza takes over as the new governor of Chile, enters the city of La Serena and ordered to take prisoners to the conquistadors Francisco de Aguirre and Francisco de Villagra, ending the dispute over the Interior.

1576 Francisco de Aguirre is relieved of the post of governor of Tucuman, after constant complaints from his administration, and then returning to Copiapo to La Serena, in order to recover their possessions.

1578 The privateer Francis Drake, enters the bay of La Herradura from Valparaiso. He is reviled by residents and continues its trip north. Their presence on these shores opens the path to the action of pirates and privateers in these lands.

1581 Francisco de Aguirre dies at age 81 in La Serena. He is buried in the main church of the city.

1600 La Serena during its first 50 years, he organizes his life around territorial control functions for which it was conceived, and serves the economic interests of the time, through an economy dependent on gold and agribusiness subsistence.

1637 In the month of December an earthquake destroyed the entire city.

1678 Various constructions are completed, existing religious orders begin to shape various guilds.

1680 The pirate Bartholomew Sharp took the city of La Serena for four days, then plundered and burned.

1683 begins the reconstruction of some important buildings devastated by Sharp, including Church Matrix, on the other hand, the eventual transfer of the city is discussed.

1686 The English pirate Edward Davis, seconded by two hundred men, enters the Serena and takes over the Santo Domingo Church, the invaders were confronted by soldiers and militiamen, to be expelled in the early morning hours, burning the church in which they had sheltered.

1730 various fortifications are raised around the city, whose most consistent structure stood on the cover of its southern entrance.

1767 Expulsion of the Jesuits in Chile. His church located in the city of La Serena passed to the order of the Augustinians (current church St. Augustine).

1788 Governor Ambrosio O´Higgins sent to build the market known as the "RECOVA".

Period 1810 1823 circumscribed the process of Independence of Chile.

Opening 1821 is given to the first education center of La Serena and in the north, called San Bartolome professional institute, present Grammar school Gregorio Cordovez, the cradle of great professionals and politicians. In the beginning I was placed at facilities of the Santo Domingo convent.

1825 silver ore "Archers" is discovered, strengthening the economy of the area. Moreover, it is called the first night, police known as "Watchmen".

Serenense 1828 the first newspaper called "The Miner" is published.

1830 a great economic and urban development that lays the foundation of the present city occurs; santa neighborhoods Lucia and San Juan de Dios arise.

1848 the Council Seminary College is founded, following the strong rise of emergence of schools in the city of letters. He manages to become the most important in northern Chile Catholic school.

1851 La Serena joins the revolution to overthrow the government of President Manuel Montt and the repeal of the constitution of 1833. The city is fenced off and many institutions; It comes a re-ordering of social classes trades.

1859 La Serena adheres to the revolutionary cause of the north (Copiapo), in rebellion against the Conservative government. Besides the battles of the Parrots and Cerro Grande they occur.

1879 The entire serenense young force, adheres to the Pacific War, the regiment and the battalion Coquimbo arises is formed.

1920 begins to take shape the economic boom produced by iron mining.

1946 President Gabriel Gonzalez Videla initiated the project "Plan Serena" consisting of a complete urban and architectural remodeling of the city, concentrating important figures in the urban world. This plan ends up giving the great sense of uniqueness of the city in the national context.

Tourist places

THE LIGHTHOUSE

El Faro Monumental represents the beginning of Avenida Francisco de Aguirre, forced postcard and one of the most visited by millions of tourists and delegations as well as the residents of La Serena own monuments.

SQUARE OF LA SERENA

In the area where it is re-founded the city of San Bartolomé de La Serena on 26 August 1549 (464 years). It is the main public walk of the city and its center is adorned by a fountain carved in stone by the artist Samuel Román.

MUSEUM GABRIEL VIDELA GONZALES

Gabriel Gonzalez Videla Historical Museum is located at the edge of the square of the city of La Serena and paid tribute to the hometown of former Chilean President Gabriel Gonzalez Videla and also shows permanent exhibitions, among which works Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró.

VALLEY ELQUI

The Elqui Valley is a watershed, located in the Region of Coquimbo, Chile. The main river of this basin is the Elqui, born from the confluence of Claro and Turbio rivers from both the Andes and empties into the Pacific Ocean, a few kilometers north of the city of La Serena.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF LA SERENA

The Archaeological Museum of La Serena is a museum located in the center of the city of La Serena, capital of the Coquimbo Region. It was opened in 1946.

THE RECOVA

When visiting La Serena go through the archway Market is a panorama that marks all tour. It is in this place where you can find crafts and cuisine with seafood and our generous land.