Our history
Wealth of the sea and the land
The streets of Lota whisper stories at every turn. Since 1662, this land has witnessed transformations that shaped the course of Chile. Coal mining not only altered its landscape but also forged the character of its people: hardworking, resilient, and proud of their roots. Today, as you walk through its streets, you can feel the echo of the miners at the Chiflón del Diablo (Devil’s Shaft), see the architectural legacy of a golden age, and encounter Lota residents who keep the traditions of their ancestors alive.
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Lota, forged by miners' hands,
caressed by the waves of the Pacific.
Our wealth in every corner
Monuments to resistance and hope...
Knowing them is understanding history
El Chiflón
del
Diablo
A unique underwater coal mine, the only one of its kind in the world due to its natural slope and ventilation system. Declared a Historical Monument in 2009, it was popularly known as “Chiflón del Diablo” (Devil’s Shaft) before Baldomero Lillo immortalized it in his novel *Subterra*, narrating its tragedies and inequalities. It operated from the mid-19th to the late 20th century, reaching a depth of 850 meters. Mining was done using the “room and pillar” method, forcing miners to work on their knees and descend on foot. Its structure and inherent dangers made it a symbol of the history and identity of the city of Lota.
The Chambeque sector, declared a Historical Monument in 2014, preserves the infrastructure of Lota’s coal industry, most notably the Alberto, Carlos 1 and 2 mine shafts, headframes, thermoelectric plant, and pier. Founded by Matías Cousiño in 1852, this complex was a pioneer in mining technology, with steam engines and underground tunnels connecting the mines to the port. Its legacy reflects the innovation and effort that positioned Lota as a leader in coal mining during the 19th and 20th centuries, a legacy continued by the National Coal Company (ENACAR), founded in 1921 until its closure in 1997.
Sector
Chambeque
Enacar
Gota
de
Leche
Declared a Historical Monument in 2012, it is located between the Hospital and the San Matías Parish. Designed by architect Hernán Vega Pérez, it was built in 1928 as the first privately run milk distribution center. Built in the Neocolonial style, it features patterned tiles made by mining families. Under the direction of Berta Recabarren, a pioneer of social service in South America, it offered free milk, low-cost baby bottles, childcare education, and a medical clinic. Today, the Gota de Leche (Milk Drop) is a cultural center managed by community organizations that are revitalizing Lota’s heritage and tourism.
Declared a National Monument in 2009, it was built in 1915 as collective housing for 20 mining families. The three-story building featured a kitchen-dining room on the first floor, bedrooms upstairs, and external bathrooms. After a fire in 1956 destroyed part of its structure, it was restored in 2005 and transferred to the Cepas Foundation, which manages it as a cultural center. Today, it promotes the preservation of mining heritage and offers community spaces, a library, exhibition halls, an electric elevator, a tribute to mining elevators, and museum collections.
Pabellón
83
Parque
Isidora
Cousiño
Declared a Historical Monument in 2009, Isidora Cousiño Park was designed between 1862 and 1872 by the British landscape architect Bartlet in the French style, standing out as the only park of its kind on Chile’s coastline. Commissioned by Isidora Goyenechea in honor of her husband, Luis Cousiño, this lush garden combines winding paths, sculptures, ponds, and a diverse collection of tree species brought from different continents. Its design reflects the European influence on landscape architecture of the time, making it a natural and heritage oasis that still dazzles visitors with its beauty and historical richness.
The Lota Historical Museum was built in 1871 as the home of Dr. Munro, the first doctor in the Cousiño family. Later, it was inhabited by Dr. Duncan and subsequently by mine managers. The house played a key role in the development of the coal industry. The museum displays more than 800 artifacts, including art, fine furniture, and photographs.
Museo
Histórico
de Lota
Desayuno
Escolar
The School Breakfast Building (1932, declared a heritage site in 2012) provided meals to 200 children, prioritizing those from low-income families. It was key in the fight against child malnutrition, improving school attendance, dental hygiene, and the overall quality of life in Lota.
The Union Theater No. 6 (declared in 2009) was built in 1960. Its modernist design, by young volunteer architects such as Sergio Bravo, Maco Gutiérrez, Betty Fishman and Carlos Martner, included a capacity for 4,000 people and murals by Julio Escámez.
Teatro del
Sindicato
Nº6
Planta
Hidroeléctrica
de Chivilingo
Located in the Biobío Region, 14 km from Lota, the Chivilingo Hydroelectric Plant was the first hydroelectric power plant in Chile and the second in South America. Commissioned by Isidora Goyenechea in 1896 and inaugurated in 1897, it was designed by Thomas Edison and implemented by the American company Consolidated Co., with German equipment from Schuckert & Co. Its purpose was to supply energy to the Lota coal mines, increasing their productivity. It operated until 1974 and, due to its importance in the electrical and mining industries, was declared a National Historic Monument on September 25, 1990, and a World Engineering Landmark in 2004. From 1998, it was managed by Fundación Chile as a tourist complex, but it closed after the damage caused by the 2010 earthquake, pending restoration.
A symbol of Lota’s mining heyday, the Centennial Tower was inaugurated in 1952 to commemorate one hundred years of the coal industry in the city. Its modernist design and imposing height make it an architectural icon, a testament to the rise and transformation of the Lota community throughout the 20th century.
Torre
del
Centenario
Fuerte
de
Colcura
The Colcura Fort was a defensive structure of the Spanish Empire, built in 1602 by order of Governor Alonso de Rivera and named San Miguel Arcángel. Due to the Arauco War, it was abandoned and refounded in 1662 by Governor Ángel de Peredo as a fortified town. Originally built on a strategic hill, its design evolved through multiple modifications between the 18th and 19th centuries, eventually adopting a triangular structure with defensive bastions. Despite its military importance, the fort faced supply and maintenance problems. In 1977, it was declared a Historical Monument, and it still retains original cannons from that era.