Concepción, Chile

Lore & Background

The city suffered repeated destruction from earthquakes and tsunamis in 1570, 1657, 1687, 1730, and 1751, leading authorities to relocate it to its current site in the Valle de la Mocha alongside the Bío Bío River. The old site remained empty until the town of Penco was founded in 1842. Concepción was the home of the Real Audiencia from 1565 to 1575 and was the capital of the Kingdom of Chile between 1565 and 1573. During the independence period, Bernardo O'Higgins proclaimed the oath of the Chilean War of Independence in the main square, now known as Plaza de la Independencia, on January 1, 1818.

Reader's Guide

Concepción's significance lies in its historical role as a military and political center during the colonial era and the early years of independent Chile. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Chile from 1565 to 1573 and retained an unofficial position as military capital throughout the colonial period. The city was a key site in the struggle for independence, and until the election of Manuel Montt in 1851, executive power in independent Chile was dominated by Concepción elites. Today, it is a major industrial and educational hub, known as a college town with institutions such as the University of Concepción, the University of the Bío Bío, and the Catholic University of the Most Holy Conception. The 2010 magnitude 8.8 earthquake caused significant damage and displaced the city roughly 3 meters to the west, highlighting its ongoing vulnerability to seismic activity.

Did You Know?

• The city's demonym, penquista, comes from the place of its original foundation, Penco.
• Concepción was the capital of the Kingdom of Chile between 1565 and 1573.
• The Chilean declaration of Independence was held at Concepción's Plaza de la Independencia.
• The 2010 earthquake displaced the city roughly 3 meters to the west.