Chimbarongo

Chimbarongo is a town located in parallel form to the Pan-American Highway that has an interesting parochial church, with a great porch and vaults done of brick.

But its main attractiveness comes from the wicker crafts. This tradition initiated by Don Osvaldo Sepúlveda in the decade of 1920. He made furniture to use the time available, when the agricultural workings lowered during the winter time. As model used some imported furniture.

Visit the factories where the craftsmen work wicker (Salis viminalis, plants original of Smaller Asia) and will be able to admire their skill and to receive one detailed explanation of the techniques that they use. Between the craftsmen of greater reputation are Osvaldo Sandoval, the Cubillos family and Juan Sepúlveda, who makes detailed objects in wicker, such as boats and locomotives.

The great center of crafts is around the town of Chimbarongo. The craftsmen obtain the raw material from the wicker rods that put under a long process. They soak them in swimming pools to separate the crust, remaining the huiro of wicker. This one is cut in cross, soon to pass the pieces through thin edges and to obtain ribbons that allow the weave. With this technique, it is woven varied production of furniture, carpets, baskets, trunks and decorative figures.

From Chimbarongo, it can initiate the circuit to Chépica, a visit to an old agricultural town.

Chépica is a town with one long street, flanked by houses with continuous runners. In them, small worked iron bars support to long flowered stems tangles (enredaderas) and flowerpots stand, forming a colorful filter of light where, for the afternoons, the inhabitants of town rest. The Gabarda house (1910), with two floors, in excess balcony and great cornice of wood molding, breaks with the regularity of the architecture. When arriving at the park (plaza) of great trees, the space is opened to show the facade of the Church San Antonio de Padua. It has three large halls, wide walls and an old altarpiece in its interior. There are masses in winter, Saturdays to 18:30 hours, Sundays to the 11 hours; in summer, Saturdays to 19:30 hours, Sundays to the 11 hours. For visits, ask for the keys in the parochial house.

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