Sights

From the coast to the cordillera, the countryside around Talca [1] has abundant recreational opportunities, even more than Curicó [2]. Casa Chueca [3] is the best single source of information for backcountry trips and other excursions, such as winery visits [4], in the vicinity.

In 1818, Bernardo O’Higgins signed Chile’s declaration of independence at the Museo O’Higginiano y de Bellas Artes, built in 1762 by Portuguese merchant Juan Albano Pereira y Márquez; Pereira and his wife, Bartolina de la Cruz, were in fact O’Higgins’s godparents, and O’Higgins spent part of his youth in the house, a national historical monument. Unfortunately, the exhibits on O’Higgins here are marginal; more substantial are the archaeological and numismatic exhibits, the five rooms of Chilean art from colonial times to the 20th century, and materials on the origins of local journalism.

The Museo O’Higginiano (1 Norte 875, tel. 071/227330, mobat [at] entelchile [dot] net) is open 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. weekdays except Monday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. weekends and holidays. Admission costs US$1.20 for adults, half that for children and students.

In the fire station, the Museo Bomberil Benito Riquelme (2 Sur 1172, tel. 071/232222) displays old photographs and antique firefighting gear. Theoretically, it’s open 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily; admission is free.

The Casa del Arte (1 Norte 927) is a contemporary art space, open 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4–7:30 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Saturday.