Collipulli: Viaduct, Culture and the Río Malleco

Collipulli brings together architectural and cultural history with the landscape along the Río Malleco. The Viaducto del Malleco is a landmark in the history of engineering; a former municipal building, a monastery and museums add to the city’s character. Along the river, natural pools and a swimming school are among the attractions at Balneario Sector Bajo Río Malleco. These different highlights can help guide your hotel choice: are you mainly interested in engineering, urban history or activities on the water?

Viaducto del Malleco: Dimensions and History

The Viaducto del Malleco is 347.5 meters long and divided into five equal sections, each measuring 69.5 meters. The railway tracks are 102 meters above the bottom of the gorge. These measurements describe two different dimensions of the structure: its length and the height of the tracks above the gorge.

The viaduct was built as part of a government program to expand the railway network. Its purpose was to provide a fast connection between southern Chile and the center of the country. At the time, it was considered the highest railway bridge in the world. Its importance to metal engineering remains part of its history: it is one of Chile’s most significant works of this type.

By Decree No. 686, dated September 25, 1990, the viaduct was declared a National Monument in the Historic Monument category. Its dimensions, its former status as the world’s highest railway bridge and its protected status offer different perspectives on the structure, from its construction to its historical significance.

Historic Buildings and Museums

At the intersection of Cruz and Alcázar streets stands the former Consistorial building of the Municipalidad de Collipulli. It was built between 1917 and 1920 to designs by architect Celindo Muñoz Rivera, and housed the municipal government for decades. The building’s name is thus tied to a distinct chapter in the city’s history and its former public function.

The city is also home to the Franciscan monastery of San Leonardo de Porto Mauricio de Collipulli, a religious landmark dating from 1869. Its simple façade is designed in the style of the Franciscan Order. Inside, pillars and naves form a layout typical of the late 19th century. Check current access conditions before visiting.

Casa Museo is a space dedicated to the development of culture, art and the heritage of the municipality of Collipulli. The privately run Museo Histórico de Collipulli is located at Bulnes 155 in Collipulli, Malleco, Región de La Araucanía. Its building was formerly a warehouse where wheat was stored in bulk.

Crafts and Cultural Tradition

In the municipality of Collipulli, in Huapitrío along Route R-23, the women’s group Alfarería Piutril Santa Ema runs a workshop and promotes traditional Mapuche pottery. The forms and pieces include metawes, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic vessels, and works from the Pitrén and El Vergel cultures. This craft adds a distinct cultural tradition of the municipality to its architectural and museum history.

Río Malleco and the Viewpoint

Balneario Sector Bajo Río Malleco is located on the Malleco River. Dams create natural pools there, and there is also a swimming school. Facilities include options for camping, picnicking, swimming, sports and recreation. Check the current condition of the facilities and the availability of the swimming school before your visit.

Mirador Viaducto Ferroviario del Malleco can be reached via Ruta 5 Sur or the old road connecting Collipulli with the Bajo de Malleco sector. Check current access conditions before setting out. At the viewpoint, visitors can enjoy the scenery and take part in bungee jumping; check in advance whether these activities are currently offered.

Discover more destinations: Traiguén, Victoria, Curacautín, Purén, Ranquíl, Lumaco, Lonquimay.

Back to the regional travel overview: Malleco.