Curico

(Black Water)

Curicó has 104.000 inhabitants and was founded in 1743 originally under the name of San José de Buena vista de Curicó, today is the capital of the Province . At the beginning it was located 5 kms (3.1 miles) north, but was displaced due to the humidity level toward its current location. Curico is a centre of communications, supplying and commercial transactions from the agricultural industries who export their good to foreign premium markets.

Touristic sites in Curicó:

Enter the Manso de Velasco Avenue with two roads and a big traffic island with eastern plane trees- walk along both sides. Then climb Carlos Condell Hill (Cerro Carlos Condell) to have a view from the city, the farms crossed by long boulevards and when the days are clear Andes Mountain Chain. Then enter downtown by Camilo Henriquez Street where you will be able to see agricultural machinery which is exhibited and turn at Jungay street up to the Main Square, here you can see a kiosk made of melted iron which was declared National Monument, is was designed in a New Orleans Style and built in 1904 by a foundry from Santiago.and the Main Church, which was seriously damaged in the earthquake of 1985; the interior was demolished leaving just the original perimetral walls and the tower. In 1993 they asked the architect Jorge Squella to design a new church – smaller – and they proposed him to place the new building inside the old walls, creating an inner yard. The reconstruction has not been finished yet because of lack of fonds.

Walk along the commercial area and you will reach Del Carmen Church (Iglesia del Carmen) and San Francisco Church (Iglesia San Francisco).

Del Carmen Church (Iglesia del Carmen). It has three big naves, calling the attention because of its central nave one and decorated with columns and capitals canved in stone. During winter there are masses from Monday to Saturday at 19 and Sundays at 8, 10:30, 12 and 19; during summer from Monday to Saturday at 20 and Sundays at 8, 10:30, 12 and 20.

San Francisco Church (Iglesia de San Francisco), declared National Monument. It belongs to the Franciscans, it was originally built in 1731, in the place known as Old Convent (Convento Viejo). After Curico’s foundation and due to the damages from the earthquakes, the convent was moved to this place in 1758. The temple you can see in these days began been built in 1880 and was inaugurated in 1904. There are masses all year round, from Monday to Friday at 9 and Sundays at 10 and 12.

To finish your visit to Curicó return to the square and take Carrera street to the right crossing the avenue. You will reach a small square facing

Curico Highlights

Curicó Pastry

One traditional aspect from Curicó are Tortas Montero, biscuits they have been baking since 1891 according to Cristobalina Montero’s recipes. You can visit the factory at Prat 659 where you will be able to see how they are repaired, buy and take these delicious biscuits.

Fiesta de la Vendimia

On March 12 and 13 Molina’s Folkloric Festival take place and the 19^th and 20^th from the same month, Curico’s Hrape Harvest Party. The show takes place at the Main Square with several activities such as the coronation from the Grape Harvest Queen, the first grape juice’s blessing, an exposition from all the vineyards from Curico’s Wine Route together with a gastronomic fair.

Curico’s Valley Wine Route (Ruta del Vino Valles del Curicó).

Curicó Valley is located less than 200 kms (124 miles) south from Santiago and it is – without any doubts – the most traditional in the whole country, establishing significant milestones such as technological deployment and strong traditions such as Grape Harvest Party, celebrated every year the third week in March. Enjoy a beautiful landscape from the mountain chain to the sea, the tradition from the Chilean vine culture Centre”.

Visit vineyards, wineries and employers’ houses with tastings, lunches and dinners at the vineyards, participating at Curico’s Grape Harvest Party and Molina’s Folkloric Festival, we find nature and farm traditions.

Curico’s Valley Wine Route is conformed by 17 vineyards: AltaCima, Aresti, Astaburuaga, Correa Albano, Echeverría, Inés Escobar, La Fortuna, Las Pitras, Los Robles, Mario Edwards, Miguel Torres, Millaman, Pirazzoli, San Pedro, San Rafael, Santa Hortensia and Valdivieso, and combine in its circuits technology and tradition showing from the wine industry to boutiques in the warehouses or wineries with employers’ houses and parks.

Curico’s Valley Wine Route circuits begin in Curicó, from Wine Route’s Office located at Turismo Hotel (Hotel Turismo) – Carmen 727 – the access is at Prat Street in where you can see an exhibition from those wines produced in the valley.

It is important to say that the circuits by Curico’s Valley Wine Route can be complemented with some other activities such as for example watching the process for making olive oil at Terramater and then to taste it, visiting a packing and the traditional factory of handmade bisquits “Tortas Montero”.

All the circuits imply wine tasting which is normally performed next to barrels and casks.

Among the wide variety of gastronomy included in the Wine Route circuit some of the most remarkable are Vineyard Torres Restaurant (Restaurant Viña Torres) located in the same vineyard (Closed on Mondays), The Corner Hose (La Casa de la Esquina) located in a residential neighborhood (Closed on Sundays), La Unión Club (Club la Unión), with Peruvian Food, located at the Main Square. Colo Colo, famous for its plateadas and peasant rolled meat and is located at the village of Romeral. The restaurants from El Descanso (located in the highway) and Turismo Hotels have delicious executive menus. And – in case you make arrangements in advance – you can have lunch at de vineyards with their owners.

The Main Circuits from Curico’s Valley Wine Route are the following:

Wine’s Secret, halve day tour visiting two vineyards.

Wine’s Charm, one day tour visiting the vineyards, lunch included.

Wine’s secret and Lake’s Spell, two days tour.

All these tours have the alternatives of: Olive Oil Tasting, Packing and “Tortas Montero”. As well as optional services of transportation and bilingual tour guides.

Tours are available in English, French, Portuguese, German and Italian and can be taken from Monday to Sunday with certain restrictions. You must make reservations 24 hours in advance.

Nearby Curico:

Vichuquén Lake (Lago Vichuquén), Radal Siete Tasas National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Siete Tasas) or Torca Lagoon (Laguna Torca).

** Information related to Hours, Rates and Dates might change without any previous notice **