In order to get acquainted with the household and culture of indigenous inhabitants, you have to go to one museum, to learn about flora – to another, fauna – to the third… And go on until you’ve visited all the museums of the city and spent all your time on it. And only in a Chilean city Viña del Mar you can find everything that interests you in one place – Francisco Fonck Archaeological and Historical Museum. It houses the biggest collection of artifacts illustrating the historical and cultural heritage of the country.

An archaeological community appeared in Viña del Mar on  November 25, 1937. It was named after the German doctor and successful archeological researcher, the philanthropist, Francisco Adolfo Fonck. A year after a thriving local company passed the building over to the community for storing and studying their priceless finds. In the same year doctor, Roberto Gajardo Tobar joined the community of archeologists, who would later become the main patron of the Fonck Museum. At that time, the museum was moving from one place to another until the authorities gave a place in their possession in 1986, where the museum is today.

A giant stone monument Moai of the Rapanui civilization welcomes the visitors at the entrance. One of the well-known statues was given to the community by the inhabitants of Easter Island as a present. It was brought to the museum by a Chilean ship in 1951. The gift was the starting point of friendship between the islanders and the archeological community members.

The Fonck Museum became famous outside the city as well as the country a long time ago. It is a source of knowledge about the life and culture of the Chilean indigenous population, the Indian tribes. The collection includes many ancient items belonging to the Indian tribes Mapuche and Rapanui: footwear, clothes, ceramics, dishes and tools, original jewelry.