Sitio de Villarrica, Historical monument in Villarrica, Chile.

Sitio de Villarrica is an archaeological site at the intersection of Balmaceda and Gerónimo de Alderete streets where the remains of a Spanish colonial settlement lie buried underground. The excavated foundations, tiles, and metal objects come from multiple settlement phases at this historical location.

Gerónimo de Alderete founded Santa María Magdalena de Villarrica in 1552 for Pedro de Valdivia, on the south bank of the Toltén and the west shore of Lake Mallalafquén, to work gold deposits and secure a winter route to the Atlantic. After the 1553 Battle of Tucapel the Mapuche destroyed it; a 1555 refoundation was destroyed after the 1598 Battle of Curalaba, and Chile refounded the city in 1882.

The site reflects the tense relationship between Spanish colonists and the Mapuche people, with repeated conflicts causing the settlement to be destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. Visitors can see the physical traces of these encounters in the exposed foundations and recovered objects.

The site is easily accessible and located in the city center at a clear street intersection. Visitors should allow time to explore the excavated areas and observe the different layers of findings from various periods.

The 2010 excavations at the site uncovered roof tiles, metal objects and building foundations that may belong to the Fuerte de Villarrica. The plot, bounded by Balmaceda and Gerónimo de Alderete streets, was declared a National Monument in 1994 for its historical and archaeological value.