Antofagasta Attractions
Antofagasta (pop. 225,000) is the largest city in the Norte Grande. The port city was founded in 1870 and originally called Chimba. Like the rest of the region, the city receives very little rainfall but does see the occaisional severe storm.
Archeological Museum
The Museo Arqueológico offers displays and information on the Norte Grand region.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | ||
| Open | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | ||
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Chacabuco
Chacabuco is an abandoned nitrate town which closed down in the late 1930s. It was later used by the Pinochet government in the 1970s as a concentration camp. Many of the remaining buildings are open to visitors, including the workers' housing, the church, theater, and the mineral plants.
February 14 Celebration
The founding of Antofagasta is celebrated on February 14. Firework displays and other festivities throughout the city mark the occaision.
Pinacoteca Andrés Sabella
The Pinacoteca Andrés Sabella, in the Port Authority building near the pier, celebrates the life of poet Andrés Sabella.
Plaza Colón
In the Plaza Colón, the main square in Antofagasta, stands a miniature Big Ben clock tower donated by the British in 1910. There is also a band shell with British and Chilean flags tiled into the design.
Regional Museum
Located in the old customhouse, the museum maintains collections of minerals, fossils, and prehistoric artifacts.
Ruinas de Huanchaca (Minas de Plata)
From the hillside remains of a 19th C British-Bolivian silver-refining plant there are good views over they city.
