MUSEO DE LA ESCUELA

Built in 1955, the old school of Villa Cerro Castillo, also known as School No. 9, was restructured in 1997 as the Museum of the Cerro Castillo School. This former school is a perfect example of the colonization of the region and the way of life of the inhabitants, determined to face the difficulties of their geographical isolation. The museum houses collection pieces that tell the fascinating story of these first autonomous men and women, settlers from the Ibañez district, who were willing to do anything to provide an education for their children. Because of the heritage value of this building, which houses the historical memory of the colonization process of this city and the archaeological wealth of its surroundings, it was declared a national monument in the category of historical monuments on February 5, 2008. In 2011, within the framework of the "Bicentenary Legacy" programme, funds have been allocated to carry out a new remodelling and to transform the old school into a museum hall, tourist information centre and centre for scientific studies. The new works were inaugurated in January 2014 by the then President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet. In addition, a reception centre has also been built to conduct research, receive theses and organize research and analysis meetings that could focus on the study of the Ibáñez River basin, which is very rich in rock paintings, minerals, and archaeological sites.