Abandoned settlements can be found all over northern Chile. They are the remains of the once very lucrative nitrate industry.
In the first half of the 20th century, towns were rapidly built to house the many workers required to mine the nitrate.
However, when the industry turned and was no longer viable, these communities quickly fell into ruin.
This was the case for Chacabuco, which is not only one of the largest ghost towns in Chile, it was once used as a concentration camp during the earliest period of the Pinochet military dictatorship.
In short, it is a remote, must-see visit for any discerning dark tourist in Chile.
History of Chacabuco Mining Town
However, the mines there were short-lived. The American depression in the 1930s alongside the invention of synthetic nitrate by the Germans meant that by the 1940 northern Chile’s nitrate industry was on its last legs.
The impact of the demise was dramatic. What had been almost 50% of Chile’s Gross National Product fell to almost zero.
As a town, Chacabuco had only survived 14 years. As the mines closed, the workers left for opportunities elsewhere. What had once been a bustling community of over 5,000 workers and their families became abandoned.
Facilities such as the theater, library, pool, and sports center and of course all the houses, fell in to ruin.
Chacabuco became a time capsule of Chilian life in the 30s. So much so the government declared it a national monument and began protecting it in 1971.
However, this coveted status did not last long. After the 1973 Coup d’État made by General Augusto Pinochet, the future of Chacabuco became very bleak indeed.
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Chacabuco Prison Camp
To house the prisoners a large area of Chacabuco was surrounded by electrified fences and watchtowers. Beyond that perimeter, the site was secured by landmines. (There is currently believed to be 98 lost landmines around Chacabuco, so visitors beware.)
In a rather tragic twist of irony, the government undersecretary of education who had signed off on Chacabuco becoming a national monument just 2 years before, was imprisoned too. He died shortly after release.
Approximately 1,800 prisoners were held there during its two-year use. The vast majority never made it out alive.
After the prison closed, Chacabuco was again abandoned and left to the elements. It remained this way until the 1990s when preservation attempts finally began.
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Protection from vandalism
Headed by an ex-prisoner of Chacabuco, two former inmates of the camp returned to look after the site as caretakers.
The first was Roberto Saldívar. He lived there until his death in 2006. At this stage, the responsibility was to prevent further damage from vandalism, (the town church had been burned to the ground by arsonists sometime in the 1980s).
Pedro Barreda took over from Saldívar and still lives there to this day.
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Where is Chacabuco Ghost Town
- Address: Chacabuco, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta, Chile
- Admission: 2000 CLP
- Opening times: Daily, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
Visiting Chacabuco Today
In 1992 a small amount of restoration work was made on the old theatre with aid from Germany’s Goethe Institute. This culminated in a permanent exhibition in the former library rooms connected to the theatre.
Today, the theatre is by far the most pristine building in the town. The grand, whitewashed, three-story building stands proudly, adjacent to the main square.
This too has seen some refurbishment works done. The square now contains a children’s play area, some benches, and newly planted trees surround a small bandstand type construction.
The effect is disconcerting, however. The rest of Chacabuco remains an abandoned ghost town, encroaching on this small pocket of newness.
Many of the original buildings are at risk of collapse through neglect. Streets and pathways are covered in dust and debris.
Parts of the nitrate production plant still exist. The 35m high chimney is the tallest structure in Chacabuco.
Walking Tour
Bilingual signs (Spanish and English) are present around the site. A large panel in the square provides a guide to the site, as well as a map.
You can then follow a route that leads you past 8 more informational panels along a circuit around the town.
North-west of the square is where the prison camp section used to be. There are no watchtowers or fences left, however, some of the original worker’s buildings that were used as prison wards during the life of the camp do remain.
It is best not to wander past the old perimeter here due to the aforementioned mine situation.
Despite most of the buildings being in a nearly ruined state, it is still very interesting to walk among them. Some still feature interesting wall murals, presumably created by former prisoners.
South of the main square are some larger buildings that used to be the mining company administration offices. There is also the old supermarket from when the town was a thriving community.
Behind these, you will find the ruins of some workshops. Amazingly some of the old industrial machinery still exist, large rusting hulks destined to be inside these dilapidated buildings forever.
To see the nitrate production facilities you need to head to the eastern side of town. (Just follow the chimney stack). Here you will find more old machines, industrial debris, and most impressive of all, remnants of the giant boilers.
Here you will find the ruins of larger houses that once belonged to the managers and upper-level administrators of the town.
You can just about make out some of the former grandeur. The footprint of the buildings hints to the relative luxury of the living conditions, compared to the smaller dwellings nearer the center.
Look out for some of the abandoned vehicles here too. The sight of these old 1920s car wrecks makes you wish you could take them home for restoration.
The Exhibition Area
Here an exhibition containing text-and-photo information panels provides some detailed history of the nitrate industry in Chile.
There are also some glass display cabinets with items that once belonged to the workers; tools, clothes, and shoes for example.
There is also information about Chacabuco as a detention camp, including artifacts from the time such as barbed wire, bullets, and quotes from the inmates’ testimonies during their incarcaration.
If you’ve visited a dark tourism location that you think our readers will want to know about, we would love to hear from you.
Hi, I’m from Chile. I like your website and this article, but you got the wrong ubication in your map. There is a province also called Chacabuco near Santiago, but the ghost town is actually far north, in a different region. You should put Chabuco, Antofagasta (different region and province). So, if you want to go there, you should look for a place to stay in Calama city or San Pedro de Atacama (this last one is far more turistic, so it’s also far more expensive). I hope this could help. Keep the good work going
Hi Juan, thank you so much for taking the time to correct us on our mistake, (and for the kind words about DarkTourists.com), we’re adjusting the map as we speak. Have you been to Chabuco? Would love to hear your thoughts if you have…