Curicó: Discover City History and Nature

Curicó combines urban history and historic buildings with a distinctive focus on nature. Plaza de Armas is the city’s main civic center and one of the municipality’s most important tourist sites. If you’re looking for a hotel in Curicó, historic sights and Cerro Carlos Condell offer different ways to shape your stay.

Plaza de Armas: Kiosk and the Plaza’s History

The Kiosco Cívico stands in the Plaza. Its rectangular terrace is two meters above the ground and supported by ten columns; arabesques and plant forms adorn it. The kiosk is made entirely of metal, combining cast iron and wrought iron. It was declared a Historic Monument in 1978, while the Plaza itself was declared a Zona Típica in 1986. The type of designation and what it applies to therefore differ: the kiosk is a Historic Monument, while the Plaza is a Zona Típica.

When the Plaza was laid out, surveyor Pedro Zepeda worked with a Castilian vara and a cord measuring 200 jarcias. The central fountain was brought from France by Rafael Munita, the province’s first intendant. The planting also shapes the Plaza: trees growing there include American oaks, fan palms, lindens, hazelnut trees, boldo trees, araucarias, Lebanese cedars and pines.

Other Historic Buildings and Art

The Escuela Presidente José Manuel Balmaceda D-2 building dates from 1890. Because of its age, it forms part of the collective memory of Curicó’s residents; it was declared a Historic Monument in 2004. The dates refer to different things: 1890 is the year it was built, and 2004 is the year it received its monument designation.

The Monumento al Toqui Lautaro in Curicó was created by sculptor Heraclio Calquín from a tree trunk. Comparing it with the Kiosco Cívico highlights the difference in materials: the monument was made from wood, while the kiosk is made entirely of metal, combining cast iron and wrought iron.

Nature and Getting There

For the municipality, Cerro Carlos Condell is an area of great environmental and recreational value. Its flora and fauna are protected there, and the park is maintained for residents and visitors. So, alongside its historic buildings, Curicó offers a nature-focused option for planning your trip.

From Santiago, you can reach Curicó by direct bus or by EFE train from Estación Central; alternatively, you can travel by rental car via Ruta 5 Sur. For bus and train travel, it’s best to check the schedules for your travel date. From Curicó, Ruta J-60, known as the Ruta del Vino, heads toward the coast. Ruta 5 Sur provides access to other attractions in the surrounding area. The two routes therefore offer different directions for planning: Ruta J-60 heads toward the coast, while Ruta 5 Sur leads to other nearby destinations.

Discover more destinations: Llico, Vichuquén, Sagrada Familia, Molina, Licantén.

Go to the main travel overview: Curicó.