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The city of La Serena is situated in northern Chile, approximately 295 miles north of the Chilean capital Santiago.
La Serena’s appeal lies far beyond its elegant churches and fine sandy beaches. “Serena”, as locals have dubbed it, offers a pleasant setting that is steeped in history and culture.
Known for being Chile’s second oldest city, La Serena was founded around 1544 under the rule of Spanish Pedro de Valdivia. Four years later, the Diaguitas demolished it. The Spanish spirit persevered, and the city was subsequently rebuilt on the original site.
Following the recovery from that unfortunate destruction, La Serena was visited by British pirate Bartholomew Sharp who rampaged and burned the city to the ground in 1680. La Serena was once again rebuilt and even managed to continue an upward progression and thrive during the advent of the silver boom in the 19th century.
Nestled in the Elqui Valley, the Pisco District is where the region’s famous grape brandy, or pisco, is produced, as part of long-standing tradition begun by the Spanish in the 16th century. I was fortunate enough to have tasted the fruits of Chile’s acclaimed wine industry by exploring the beautiful vineyards around La Serena. Participants in the vineyard walks can sample different wines, and buy wine directly from the producers.
Guided tours offer ample opportunity to talk to experts and learn about the city’s history. I saw the towering Andes rise above the historic and breathtaking Elqui Valley. It is a popular destination for hiking. Many come to the valley to relax among the grape vines and lemon trees. La Recova is the artisan’s marketplace. It features copper and silver jewelry, glass works, and ceramics.
La Serena enjoys cool weather with distinct summer and winter seasons. Summer months tend to experience substantially less precipitation than winter months.
After arriving in la Serena, I discovered lovely views as I explored the southern sky at the Tololo Observatory. I let myself be guided on a journey to the stars at the sixth largest astronomical observatory in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring powerful telescopes and awe-inspiring mountain views.
Blanketing the Enchanted Valley National Historic Monument, numerous petro glyphs offer visitors to a glimpse into cultures past, including stone engravings and painted figures dating as far back as 2,000 B.C.
Founded in 1943, the Archaeological Museum in La Serena boasts a 12,000-piece collection of artifacts, including pre-Columbian pottery, an Easter Island moai, a variety of fossils and ancient maps.
Today La Serena has been developed into a popular vacation resort. I enjoyed spending time to explore this amazing town. My happy memory of it is like a misty fog, having no boundaries and forever lingering in my mind.
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