Parque Ecuador is next to Cerro Caracol. Together, they represent two different scales of urban greenery in Concepción: the park is a spacious recreational area with various tree species, children’s playgrounds and a cycle path. Cerro Caracol is considered the city’s green lung, covers more than 1,200 hectares and reaches an elevation of 250 metres. Here, a park with individual recreational features sits right beside an extensive ridge.
Urban Greenery and Natural Areas
Parque Nacional Nonguén offers another geographical perspective. It is located in Concepción Province and includes parts of the municipalities of Concepción, Chiguayante and Hualqui. Its reach across several municipalities sets it apart from the clear juxtaposition of Parque Ecuador and Cerro Caracol. As you explore the region, you can experience a contrast between urban green spaces and a national park whose area extends beyond municipal boundaries.
Art and Collections in Concepción
At the Universidad de Concepción’s Casa del Arte, a large-scale mural brings together art and international collaboration. The mural covers 250 square metres, excluding the staircase. Mexican artist Jorge González Camarena created the work with support from Salvador Almaraz, Manuel Guillén, Javier Arévalo, Albino Echeverría and Eugenio Brito. Work began in November 1964 and ended in April 1965. The time it took to create and the names of those involved give the mural a specific artistic and historical context.
Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción also offers different ways to explore the city’s collections. Its collection comprises more than 16,000 specimens, spanning natural sciences, archaeology and ethnography, as well as history, photography and crafts. Around four per cent of the collection is on display in five permanent exhibition halls. Comparing the size of the collection with the proportion on display shows just how many different subjects the museum brings together.
Galería de la Historia de Concepción opened in 1983 and presents the history of the city and region through dioramas. Miniature figures carved from wood are set against oil paintings in the background. The collection of dioramas by Chilean artist Rodolfo Gutiérrez Zerreitug is among the oldest and most extensive of the artist’s works. Here, historical stories meet a vivid form of representation shaped by craftsmanship.
The university’s Concepción campus is a popular place for walks among residents of the city and surrounding area. At the same time, it serves as a centre for knowledge creation, culture, science, technology and research. Mercado Central de Concepción offers a different perspective on architectural history: built in 1940, the building has an earthquake-resistant reinforced-concrete structure with a parabolic vault. Together, the campus and market represent two different facets of urban life and heritage.
Planning Your Visits
Casa del Arte is open from 10:00 to 17:45 Tuesday to Friday, from 10:00 to 16:45 on Saturdays and from 10:00 to 13:45 on Sundays. As visiting hours may change, check them before your visit. A guided tour lasts one hour and includes a talk about the mural as well as tours of the exhibition spaces, depending on which exhibitions are available at the time. Guided visits are for groups of five to 45 people with a reservation. These conditions can help you decide whether this tour format suits your plans.
Discover more destinations: Concepción, Talcahuano, Tomé, San Pedro De La Paz, Hualpén, Coronel, Biobío Province, Ñuble Province.
For the overview of the wider region: Bío-Bío.
