The Monumento al Colono in Victoria is a five-metre-high granite sculpture made from more than ten tonnes of granite. It depicts a settler family with two adults and a son, and commemorates the pioneers who came to this area around 1884. The work was created by sculptor Leonardo Reyes; the initiative came from Enrique Ordenas, director of the art school at the Universidad de Concepción.

Monument and Market

The Mercado de Victoria is a local folklore attraction and a meeting place for merchants and farmers. Handicrafts, rural produce and other rustic goods are sold here. The monument draws attention to a specific episode in the history of settlement; at the market, exchange and goods take centre stage.

Crafts and Mapuche Traditions

The municipality of Victoria is home to local crafts made by Mapuche and non-Mapuche artisans. These include “ñanas”: fabric dolls depicting Mapuche women performing various activities. The crafts also bring everyday activities to life through these depictions.

At a Mapuche Trafkintu gathering in Victoria on 17 May 2024, participants exchanged plants and seeds, sang and danced, and shared traditional foods. The gathering thus combined the exchange of plants with music, dance and a shared meal.

In the municipality of Victoria, the Indigenous community Ignacio Queipul offers ethnocultural activities led by women from the “Nehuén Domo Che” work workshop. The group travels around the region providing intercultural catering services and welcomes interested groups. Arrangements are made through the tourism office; anyone interested should direct their enquiry there.

Local Cuisine and Events

Cordero victoriense is also part of the municipality’s culinary identity: in May 2025, it was announced that the Cooperativa Campesina Ovinos Victoria (Ovicoop) had received the Sello de Origen for the product. The Instituto Nacional de Propiedad Industrial (INAPI) presented the award in Santiago.

An edition of the Feria Costumbrista celebrating Victoria’s 144th anniversary took place in April 2025. It opened on Friday, 4 April, at around 2 p.m. at the Recinto Militar and ran until Sunday. The programme for that edition included gastronomy, live music, folk performances and activities for all age groups.

The third edition of the Feria Hilando Saberes took place in 2024 at Plaza Balmaceda. It featured products, food, music, crafts and local talent. A celebration of Día de la Cocina Chilena at Victoria railway station in 2024 also included a free tasting of charquicán, quinoa pebre, empanadas, sopaipillas, ceviche and desserts.

If an event is the reason for your trip, check the event dates for your travel period. The programme items mentioned relate to specific editions and do not establish a future date.

A Trip to the Surrounding Area

Reserva Nacional Malleco is located near Victoria. The stated access route from Victoria is via the Inspector Fernández road and Faja San Juan-Niblinto; the distance is 50 kilometres. Check road conditions and seasonal vehicle requirements before setting out. This makes it possible to plan this side trip separately from experiences in the town.

Discover more destinations: Curacautín, Lonquimay, Lumaco, Purén, Ranquíl, Collipulli, Traiguén

Return to the main travel overview: Malleco.