Founded on February 12, 1552 by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia - who was so amazed by the beauty of the place that he baptized it with his own name - Valdivia is located to the northwest of the Lake Region.

Popular among the foreign tourists who visit the south of Chile, Valdivia is today, thanks to the activities developed by the Austral University and the recent installation of the Scientific Training center (created in 1993 by the Dr Claudius Teitelboim, winner of the National Prize for Exact Sciences), the most important cultural center in the Tenth Region of Chile.

In addition to its cultural importance, Valdivia is beautiful, lively and poetic. In addition to the romantic long walks along the banks of the Calle Calle River -- symbol of the city -- one can stroll through the Botanical Garden, which displays an amazing sample of the native flora, and visit the nearby Pacific coast.

Visitors may also wish to tour Isla Niebla and Mancera, historical sites built by Spanish forces in the sixteenth century XVI to fight the indigenous resistance. The arrival of German colonists in the middle of the 19th century contributed great architectural and gastronomical influences in Valdivia; so much so that Valdivia's cuisine (artisan chocolates, sweets, kuchenes, strudel, among other delights) is widely recognized all over Chile. Numerous restaurants, coffee and pastry shops offer all types of food to the visitors at lunch time.

In the evening, the best recommendation is to taste the varieties of beers that are brewed in the region. And remember that it is in Valdivia, in the Calle Calle River, where the Moon bathes.