Chilean handicrafts are history, culture, and traditions. In a hectic world, it is living art made up of ancestral creativity that is safeguarded in different parts of the country.
Below, you will find a list of places where you can learn about the traditional handicrafts of Chile, divided into categories such as pottery, textiles, stones, woods, and plant fiber.
Traditional pottery: Pomaire
Just 70 kilometers from Santiago, the town of Pomaire is the main center for clay and pottery handicrafts in Chile. This trade, which dates back to pre-Columbian cultures, is the main economic engine of the town. It is an ideal destination to visit for the day, where you can stroll through its streets, visit the workshops, and buy everything from utilitarian pieces to large decorative figures.
In addition, the gastronomy of Pomaire is exquisite, with restaurants offering the best of Chilean cuisine.
- Estimated price: Pieces from $2,000 to $50,000 CLP.
- Website: chileestuyo.cl
Handcrafted textiles: Regional Museum of La Araucanía
The Mapuche textile art remains in force in the La Araucanía Region thanks to looms that express their cultural values, a tradition that has been preserved since pre-Columbian times. A prominent place to learn about these techniques is the Regional Museum of La Araucanía in Temuco, which protects and disseminates the history and trades of the region.
- Estimated price: Free admission (museum).
- Website: museoaraucania.gob.cl
Stones and quarries: Combarbalá and Los Domínicos
Stone crafts shine in Chile, highlighting lapis lazuli and combarbalita, a unique volcanic stone that was declared a National Stone and is masterfully worked in the city of Combarbalá. If you are in Santiago and would like to see and buy stone crafts, the Los Dominicos Handicraft Fair in Las Condes is an ideal place, bringing together workshops of different masters from the country.
- Estimated price: Free admission. Pieces from $10,000 CLP.
- Website: culturallascondes.cl
Native woods: Dalcahue and San Fernando
Wood is transformed into art in places like San Fernando (O'Higgins Region), where artisans keep the tradition alive. Further south, on the Island of Chiloé, the Dalcahue Handicraft Fair is a must to learn about the work in native woods such as raulí and alerce, with which everything from carved figures to traditional furniture is created.
- Estimated price: Prices vary according to the artisan.
- Website: dalcahue.cl
Plant fiber and basketry: Chimbarongo
Chimbarongo, in the O'Higgins Region, is unanimously known as the "cradle of wicker". This city revolves around this natural fiber, which is a fundamental part of its cultural identity and where you will find a huge variety of stores and workshops to buy furniture, baskets and decoration. Nearby, in Lajuela (Santa Cruz), the basketry in teatina stands out, used to make the traditional chupalla de huaso chileno.
- Estimated price: Prices vary according to the product.
- Website: mimbresdechimbarongo.cl
Handicrafts of the world: UC International Handicraft Exhibition
Photo: Artesanía UC
In addition to local fairs, Chile is a reflection of cultural diversity through world-class events. Since 1974, the UC International Handicraft Exhibition in Santiago brings together more than 120 outstanding artisans from Chile and countries such as Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Ecuador and India. This event, which is held annually at the end of the year, is a unique opportunity to promote, learn about and acquire excellent handicrafts from Latin America and the world.
- Estimated price: $3,000 to $5,000 CLP (entrance to the event).
- Website: muestra.artesania.uc.cl
