15 Interesting facts about La Serena, Chile

Facts About La Serena

1. La Serena is the second oldest city in Chile, founded in 1544 by Spanish explorer Juan Bohón.
2. La Serena is often referred to as the “Stargazing Capital of the World” due to its clear skies and proximity to various observatories, making it a prime location for astronomers and stargazers.
3. The European Southern Observatory facility in La Serena functions as an administrative hub, facilitating communication and coordination between La Silla and other sites across Chile.
4. La Serena constitutes a tertiary administrative division of Chile, overseen by a municipal council led by a mayor who is directly elected every four years.
5. The Elqui Valley is a major pisco-producing region. Pisco is a type of brandy and an essential ingredient in the famous cocktail, Pisco Sour.
6. La Serena is often referred to as the “White City” due to its numerous white colonial-style buildings, which contribute to its unique architectural charm.
7. La Serena is home to the Mamalluca Observatory, where visitors can observe the southern skies through powerful telescopes and learn about astronomy.
8. The city is home to the University of La Serena, an important educational institution in the region.
9. La Serena was founded in 1544, destroyed by indigenous peoples in 1549, and sacked by the English in 1680.
10. The main language spoken in La Serena and Elqui Valley is Spanish.
11. La Serena was named after the birthplace of the conquistador Pedro de Valdivia.
12. During the winter in La Serena, temperatures typically range between 7 and 16 °C.
13. La Serena has established twinning relationships with the following cities: Changzhou, China; Hawaii County, United States; Kraków, Poland; Millbrae, United States; San Juan, Argentina; Talavera de la Reina, Spain; Tenri, Japan; Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico; Castuera, Spain & Campanario, Spain.
14. La Serena has Notable Figures: Juana Ross Edwards (1830–1913), philanthropist; Alberto Guerrero (1886–1959), composer, pianist and teacher and Marcial Martínez Cuadros (1832–1918), lawyer and politician
15. La Serena is the birthplace of Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature (1945).

Explore the city of La Serena