Villarrica

The city of Villarrica is located to 54,06 miles to the Southeastern of Temuco and to 16,78 miles of Pucón. This city was founded by Gerónimo de Alderete in 1552, with the objective to operate the gold washing and to consolidate a winter pass towards Pampas and the Atlantic. Count with around 45 thousand inhabitants.

Villarrica is located to the borders of the lake that takes the same name, and is the city passageway for the tourists who every year visit Pucón, Lican Ray and Villarrica volcano.

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In your visit by Villarrica you will be able to know the Coastal-way Avenue, the Mapuche Fair, Cultural Mapuche fair, the Museum and the Church Cathedral. The most attractive activities of Villarrica are mainly concentrated during the period of summer, between January and March, when the flow of tourists increases.

The Mallolafquén Lake – present Villarrica- was discovered by Pedro de Valdivia in December of 1551. A year later, Villarrica was founded by Gerónimo de Alderete that, under the orders of Governor Pedro de Valdivia, established the city in the month of April in 1552. In the occasion 50 people settled. It seemed to be that its original name was simply Villarrica, due to the belief of existence of abundant deposits gold and silver and not the one of Santa Maria Magdalena of Villarrica as traditionally was indicated. This alteration was for to the existence of the Parochial Church of the city that was it under the invocation of this Saint.

The city of Villarrica was abandoned in 1554, after the Spanish defeat of Tucapel, which cost the life to Pedro de Valdivia. It was repopulated five years later (1559) by order of Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza after the defeat of the general revolt mapuche of this year.

In 1602 it was destroyed completely by mapuches who maintained domination on the zone until the 1st of January of 1883, date in which, by means of an agreement between the cacique Epulef and Colonel Gregorio Urrutia, the government took pacific possession in definitive way. It was reconstructed and transformed into city in January 2^nd of 1897.

In 1904 the lands of the north of Villarrica were colonized, including the Huilipilún Lake. Mapuches was transferred to “located reductions” in the hillside of Villarrica volcano, to the north, and the east of the Calafquén Lake.

The presence of a volcano of perfect form, crowned of eternal and reflected snow in a lake, was a trigger for the early appearance of the tourist flow. The train arrived at Freire; from there, it used to advance seven hours by horse to Villarrica. In June of 1916 the commune of Villarrica was created. At the moment it has approximated a population of 36,000 inhabitants and is the administrative and receiving center of the tourist flow that arrives at this zone.

The presence of Villarrica volcano was always attractive that was summoning to the tourism, which in the early times they had to transferred by train until Freire and by

horse to Villarrica. Just in 1924 it was counted with a motor vehicle that connected both cities.

The inauguration of the first hotels dates from 1923 and the railway branch arrives just in 1933 at the wharf of the Villarrica Lake.

At the moment Villarrica is commune and main city of service of the cordilleran area. Is venue of the Bishopric of the Araucanía; it has religious cathedral and other buildings.

The city of Villarrica is small and is possible to cross it in around two hours. Know the Toltén River, of high altitude, to enjoy a beautiful Vista. Near the river are the only ruins (National Monument) that are conserved of the old city.

Typical places of Villarrica

Coastal Avenue

This long and beautiful avenue borders the beach and the wharf. From there is an excellent Vista to Villarrica Volcano and the lake of the same name. This it is a place where to practice the nautical fishing and sports. It is possible to rent boats and floating to pedal. The beach, shaded by willows, finishes in two places where there is service of camping.

Church Cathedral

Located in street C. Henríquez with O’Higgins corner, it is a construction of beautiful architectonic lines. It was constructed between 1950 and 1958 years. The most overwhelming to enter is the painting that is raised in the apse, admirable work made by the Italian artist Giulio Di Girolamo. It is next to the buildings of the Catholic University. Masses in summer Sunday to 11am and 12:15 hours, visits until the 21 hours. Masses in winter Sunday to 11am, visits until the 19 hours. During the week there are no masses.

Viewpoint

Located in the way to Loncoche, it does not count with equipment, however, is possible to obtain a general Vista different from the city, the lake and the volcano.

Municipal Building

It is located in Pedro de Valdivia avenue corner with Pedro Montt. The structure of the construction is done in native wood of the zone, just like the coatings, interior as exterior.

Municipal of Villarrica Fermín Lopez

Where important documents keep from the past, objects of historical and cultural value between which it is possible to mention the properties of illustrious sons of Villarrica like Natalicio de Maria Talavera, of the Fermín Lopez Teacher, Manuel Ortiz Guerrero and others distinguished families. There are in addition armaments, the ammunition of combatants of the Chaco War and personal equipment, utensils, decorations and military trophies of the heroic defenders of this land; a collection to currencies and tickets is had in addition. Other exposed pieces are: lights, ironworks, photographies and rest of buildings, furniture and equipment of public institutions of Villarrica. Also there are axes, arcs, purses and arrows of indigenous manufacture. As art pieces there are candelabra, rosaries, niches and images of old date.

In the Room Ortiz Guerrero specially mounted are the personal equipment, books, manuscripts and letters of the immortal vate guairan Manuel Ortiz Guerrero. It was born in Itaybu in July 16th of 1894 and passed away in May 8th of 1933, to the 39 years old. In the same room it can be appreciated forms of types of letter of printing press Zurucúa in which Ortiz Guerrero published its works. It composes the same collection: pipes, inkpots, pens, etc. Photographies, parchments and diplomas that poet received. Photographies of her loved Mrs. Dalmacia Sanabria, the woman who always accompanied him, can be also seen. It can be visited from January to March 15, Monday to Saturday of 9am to 13 hours and 18 to 22 hours. The rest of the year Monday to Friday from 9am to 13 and from15 to 19 hours. Entrance $100.

National Library

In the annexed room to the Museum the Municipal Public Library works, that counts with dictionaries, pamphlets, stories, novels, books and texts about the most varied subjects and an interesting lot of historical books as also, of old published organs written in Villarrica as the case of the “Furrow”, dean of the national press.

Railway station

Constructed in 1933, this station received specially to the travelers with destiny to the Pucón Hotel.

Wharf

Is located at the end of the General Korner Street to the borders of the Villarrica Lake. The wharf has a concrete incline and anchorage (artificial lagoon) for shallow-draft vessels. It is an ideal place to walk, to practice nautical sports and to obtain a beautiful Vista of the lake and Villarrica volcano.

The footpath passes next to the Cascade Nest of Eagle and crosses a forest of gigantic Mañíos and Coigües, before arriving at a moon clear in the forest that offer a spectacular breathing and views towards the Tinquilco lake, with the Pucón valley in the downsides and Villarrica Volcano.

Artisan Fairs

There are in different places of the city. That located in Avenue Pedro de Valdivia corner with Flying Acevedo to stands out, denominated Mapuche Fair, where the Cultural Mapuche Show is developed, to which attend the most remarkable craftsmen. Also it is possible to appreciate a Ruca (Mapuche house) constructed with totora (riverside’s root) and junquillo, (cane) exact replicas of which still, in our days, it is possible to admire in the bordering fields. Open January and February from Monday to Sunday of 9am to 24 hours.

Square of Arms

It is located in the same place where it was erected for the first time and it is remodeled to serve as place of encounter and recreation. It has a great amount of shrubs with showy colors, in addition trees like araucarias, mañio, notros, Oregon pine, raulí, etc.

Rodrigo Bastias Bridge

Constructed in 1950 its name is in memory of the Spanish Captain, who defended the siege of the Villarrica’s fort from the mapuches, dying like a martyr in 1602.

It is the North joining point to Villarrica. From there it had a panoramic Vista of the city, the lake, the volcano and the birth of the Toltén River.

Site of Villarrica

Is land of at least 2,47 acres, located to the entrance of the city by the South side. Historical monument and is located in Balmaceda northwest corner with Basilio Urrutia.

Flora, Fauna and Typical Birds

Native Forest, Araucaria, Copihue, Coigüe and Insigne Pine.

Zone of humid-tempering forests, its habitat is mainly, characterized by the high rainfall: 2000 to 3000 millimeters of annual rain. The native vegetation is determined by the relief and the climate of the zone. To the north of this one, there are mixed forests of transitional type, in which abound the oak, lingue, ulmo, mañío, laurel and coigüe. Another characteristic forest of the region is the valdivian forest, mainly in the coast, where there are coigüe, tepa, olivillo, ulmo, tineo, lingue, hazel, ciruelillo, luma, laurel, oak and raulí. The so much appreciated araucaria is in the Nahuelbuta Mountain range and the high parts of the Mountain range of the Andes, associated with ñirres and lengas. The estimations declare that in the region are 98.842,15 acres of artificial forests (pine insigne). The forestall possibilities of the zone are plenty considering the climatic conditions.

Red deer, Wild boar, Pudúm (little deer) Fox, Puma, Salmon and Arcoiris (Rainbow) Trout.

There are an ample variety of animals in the zone, due to the abundant nature of the region. We can see different species that live in wild form. Although within the urban circle is difficult to find some species, in the most wooded regions and pre cordilleran we will appreciate how they develop in the free form. Some species are protected by law for their preservation such as the Pudú and the Red deer.

Due to the special characteristics of the Lacustrine zone surrounded by rivers and lakes, abounds a series of species of fish, which favors in a great way the practices of sport the fishing.

For all those that enjoy the flora and fauna contemplation, the national parks near to Villarrica like the national Park Villarrica and the Huequehue, full are of varied native flora, like the notros, chilcos, tenga, ulmos and hazels, that shelter between its innumerable branches birds, like martín fisherman, bandurrias or herons that share their space with pumas, pudues and wild cats between others mammals. These parks also allow the practices of the fishing in all varieties in its rivers, lakes and lagoons.

Eaglet, Badurria, Condor, Carpenter, Wanderer, Tricahue Parrot, Owl, Duck, Pequén and Humming bird.

These species are those that can be sighted in this zone.

Climatic information

The four seasons of the year, in the South hemisphere are the following ones:

Summer: 21 of December to the 21 of March

Autumn: 21 of March to the 21 of June

Winter: 21 of June to the 21 of September

Spring: 21 of September to the 21 of December

The climate of the zone is characterized for to be tempered warm in Summer with temperatures between 20° and 30° C. In March a particular wind denominated “Puelche” becomes presents, the one that causes a small decrease in the temperature, although the sun continues radiating.

In winter the temperatures fall an oscillation between 2° and 16°. Rains play an important role in winter, since become presents from April to beginnings of July. The Season of ski is opened generally in the month of July to finish in August or September depending on the amount of fallen snow.

Sports Made in the Region

Ski

The practice of the ski in Villarrica volcano has become in the main tourist attractive of the winter. An excellent field, it is possible to enjoy this sport with an incomparable landscape. The ski center of the volcano counts with ferry cable and cafeteria for the benefit of the visitors.

Snowboard

This winter sport has gone step by step taking adept in the ski center, even with the accomplishment of national and International matches. There is the possibility of taking an instructor and rent of equipment in the same ski center.

Competitors of distant countries enjoy in Villarrica of this novel discipline in snow sliding. With a mixed technique between the ski and skateboard a good practice is needed to be able to dominate it.

Cavalcade

In the surrounding area of the Villarrica city is possible to make cavalcade and enjoy beautiful landscapes. The cavalcade in the equestrian farms of the city can be contracted (Agro tourism) where besides to practice this sport in family, is the option to make a familiar picnic or to taste exquisite roasted to the disc.

Trekking

Villarrica volcano of 9.317,59 feet of height is one of preferred summits by lovers of the mountains. The route to the volcano takes place contracting tourism adventures agencies in Pucón, where a package of ascent or foot ascent is offered that includes a complete snow equipment and Andinism. The long walk ascent can be done in little more than 6 hours, starting from the sector of the Chapel. Part of the section can be made with ski techniques – randonee. The exigencies for this discipline are very not elevated, except for having a suitable physical training conditions and the disposition to follow the guide of the excursion without getting the group slow.

Rafting

Villarrica has characterized by the adventure and the extreme sports. The Rafting get all the conditions to become in the test with more followers of the summer. Zodiac type consists of the slope in rubber rafts, by a mighty and running river full of natural obstacles. The participants must fulfill demanding norms of security to take shelter of the movements and swings of the route. In addition the main raft is in charge of an expert guide, sometimes is accompanied by a guide assistant in Kayak. The slopes are made preferentially in the Trancura River.

Sailing boat

Taking advantage of the natural conditions of the surroundings of the city. The Villarrica Lake becomes in the ideal marc of the aquatic sports. We emphasized the great surface of the lake, an ideal place to practice in amateur way and professional of this pretty discipline. Once a year Sailing boat and windsurf matches are organized, attracting famous figures of the scope in each competition.

Fishing

This wonderful sport can practice from 2nd Friday of November to 1st Sunday of May. There are a lot of places where to practice it, to stand out the Trancura River, the Maichin River, Villarrica Lake and the cordilleran lagoons. All fishermen must register itself in the municipality and retire his license of fishing, which qualifies it to fish in the zone. The species that live in the region are the Arcoiris Trout, the Trout Coffee, the Pejerrey, the Perca Trout and the Salmon.

Mountainbike

The great extensions of forests and mountains with exuberant vegetation have created the perfect frame for the practice of this sport. The pedaling becomes more latent in periods of summer, due to the climatic conditions. The routes are always audacious and adventurous in where the cyclists look for fill of adrenalin and emotions.

Panoramic Views

Wharf

This Vista belongs to the sector of the Municipal wharf, wharf of Villarrica. From here tours leaves to every hour, to take a journey for the lake in vessel, catamaran, boat or sailboats. In addition it can make the contacts with the guides of fishing only in summer season.

Winter becomes a pleasant stroll to enjoy the breeze and the absolute tranquility.

Bridge

This wonderful Vista we can appreciate, arriving at the city of Villarrica, from the bridge on the Tolten River. Here is possible to make out the imposing Villarrica volcano landscape, with 9.350,39 feet of height, is just to 14,29 mi of the city of Villarrica way to Pucón.

Without a doubt this Vista will be noticeable in your memories at the moment to come in the beautiful city of Villarrica.

Bordering places of Tourist Interest

National Park Huerquehue

The National Park Huerquehue is located to 21,75 mi of Pucón, route to Caburgua with 16,78 mi of asphalted way and 4,97 mi with debris way and is get access all the year.

It includes 30.888,17 acres with great hills presence, gorges with tuff pending and great depths where 20 lagoons fed by slopes, rivers and matting have formed, lowering of high summits.

In the flora of the National Park Huerquehue the most frequent is to find araucaria, lenga, mañío and michay. In its fauna emphasizes the condor, culpeo fox, comic toad variegatus, little frog of Darwin and chucao.

The places of greater beauty to visit inside the park are the Green Lagoon, Cannon of the Renahue River and hills Quinchol and Araucano.

To travel across it are the footpaths Quinchol and footpath to the Lakes. It has 15 sites equipped with the necessary thing to encamp which are administered by CONAF. The administration is in the entrance of the National Park of Huerquehue.

Spas of Coñaripe

The Spas of Coñaripe are located in the way to Liquiñe. This thermal center has been worked for ten years and it has, in its 222,39 acres of land, facilities of first level.

Count with an excellent hotel and gastronomical service. The spas of Coñaripe are nailed in middle of the exuberant nature of the zone, counts with renewable thermal waters for 24 hours that allows enjoying thermal baths, even very late at night.

The waters of the Spas of Coñaripe are recommended for the treatment of diseases of the skin, sciatic, rheumatism and lumbago, in general for the affections of the nervous system and reach temperatures of 39º C to 42º C.

The thermal center Coñaripe counts with a roof thermal swimming pool, with hydro-massage, 4 thermal swimming pools outdoors, privates baths with hydro-massage, cafeteria and restaurant, hotel and cabins, room of games and pisciculture (fish reproductions) that serves like supplier of exquisite trouts and salmons that are the specialty of the house, the delight of the visitors and passengers of this tourist complex.

You have to pay the entrance to the spas which gives right to occupy all the facilities and swimming pools of the complex.

Villarrica Volcano

Villarrica Volcano of 9.340,55 feet of height is assets and its crater of 656,17 feet. of diameter, it presents a lava lake of 1.250º C with permanent smokers and is covered by an extensive glacier of 40 kilometer² that is located in the extreme northwest of a remarkable volcanic chain next to volcanoes Cordillera, the Mocho, Quetrupillánm Quinquilil and Lanín. It has 59 historical eruptions and the greater ones of this century were in 1908, 1920, 1948, 1949, 1963, 1971 and 1984-85.

There are volcanic caves, where its physical constitution can be visualized, with an approximated length of 2.296,59 feet that are qualified with light and steps so the visitors cross it. They are associated to a Volcano logic Information center and a cafeteria. An entrance is must to cancel and are open all year. The route in the caves is made with specialized guides and security conditions.

Quetrupillán

Volcano with an altitude of 7.742,78 feet. It is an extensive volcanic complex that, in the Palguín River valley, its eroded lava has favored the creation of cascade like Jump of China and Leon. At the moment this volcano is slept.