By Cristian Álvarez Link Comunica / Agency www.linkcomunica.com
In the far southern reaches of the world, where land seems to float upon the waters of the Pacific in the form of green, mysterious islands, there lies a place that encapsulates the spirit of an entire archipelago: Chonchi, known as the “City of Three Levels.” But more than a town cascading harmoniously from the hills to the sea, Chonchi is a cultural symphony, a living landscape, a story told through wood, ocean, and music.
Three Levels, a Thousand Stories
Located on the main island of Chiloé, in Chile’s Los Lagos region, Chonchi has been shaped by its geography and the soul of its people. Its three natural tiers that define its urban layout reflect a society that has learned to live with tides, isolation, and the passage of time. The town gazes out at the sea from its traditional pier, climbs through Centenario Street with its classic Chilote architecture, and culminates in the central plaza, where the Church of San Carlos de Borromeo stands—a wooden masterpiece declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Yet beyond its scenic beauty, Chonchi is a community where caring for culture is a daily practice.
Land of Musicians: The Sea Accordionists
Chonchi is also renowned as the cradle and refuge of popular island musicians, guardians of a musical legacy passed down through generations. Here, the accordion is not just an instrument—it is an extension of the islanders’ soul.
Since ancient times, the “accordionists of the sea” have carried their melodies on sailboats, to traditional work gatherings (mingas), curanto feasts, and religious festivals. The Chilote accordion, with its nostalgic yet festive tone, has accompanied baptisms, funerals, processions, and family celebrations. In Chonchi, one can still hear those melodies at dusk, blending with the chants of shellfish gatherers or the wind’s whisper through the cypress trees.
Every year, events like the Accordion Festival in Cucao and local cultural activities help keep this musical heritage alive. The town honors its artists, many of them descendants of long musical lineages, who still play by ear and hold the melodies of the past in their hands.
The Museum of Chonchi Traditions: A Refuge of Living History
At the heart of town lies one of Chonchi’s most cherished spaces: the Museum of Chonchi Traditions, housed in a beautifully restored classical wooden home. This museum is not just a collection of old objects—it is a collective narration, a theatrical portrayal of the everyday life of Chonchi’s ancestors.
Each corner brings the past to life: the wood-fired kitchen, wool-covered beds, farming tools, vintage clothing, and even handcrafted wooden toys. There are no invasive technologies or cold screens—only stories, sensations, and memory.
Much of this immersive experience is thanks to its guides, Jocelyn Andrade and Fernanda Uribe, true guardians of local heritage, who welcome visitors with warmth, knowledge, and heartfelt passion. Thanks to them, the visit becomes unforgettable—an emotional lesson in culture. Their work, along with the quiet and committed efforts of the foundation that manages the museum, ensures that both current and future generations can connect deeply with the soul of Chiloé.
Human Landscape: Generosity as Inheritance
What makes Chonchi unique is not only its natural beauty or traditional architecture, but its people. The locals are quietly hospitable, reserved yet attentive, proud of their cultural heritage and deeply rooted in the land and sea. In markets, rural fairs, gravel paths, or farm kitchens, there is always a story to share, a recipe to offer, a smile to remember.
Throughout the commune—from the fields of Notuco to the beaches of Rahue, through Huillinco, Terao, Vilupulli, and Cucao—a way of life endures. Here, modernity has not erased memory; it has reinterpreted it with respect.
Autumn: When Chonchi Becomes Poetry
Visiting Chonchi in autumn is like attending an intimate ceremony with nature. Trees turn golden, the sky becomes a mirror of mist, and chimneys draw lines of smoke above old wooden shingles. Life slows down. Silence gains texture. In this season, Chonchi is not just seen—it is felt, heard, and breathed.
Identity That Blossoms from Its Roots
At a time when globalization threatens to dilute the local, Chonchi shows that it is possible to grow without losing your soul. There are projects promoting sustainable tourism, schools that teach the native Huilliche language, artisan markets, heritage education programs, and young people returning to the countryside with fresh ideas—without rejecting the legacy of their grandparents.
This southern city does not need grand campaigns to shine. Its light lives in the everyday: in the accordion playing at a neighborhood gathering, in the story told by a museum guide, in the crunch of autumn leaves, in the wise gaze of a traditional boatbuilder.
Chonchi is not just a destination—it is a transformative experience. A place where memory, music, and community intertwine in an embrace that transcends time.
