Malleco Viaduct, Railway bridge in Collipulli, Chile
The Malleco Viaduct spans 347.5 meters across the Malleco River valley, rising 102 meters high with its robust steel truss construction and deep lattice spans.
When it opened in 1890, the structure marked a milestone in South American engineering as Chilean engineer Victorino Aurelio Lastarria designed this railway connection for regional development.
The designation as a Historical Monument of Chile and inclusion on UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List reflect the bridge's engineering significance in South America.
Trains continue to cross this steel bridge daily while visitors can observe the structure from a dedicated viewpoint along the R-336 road near Collipulli.
French company Schneider et Cie manufactured all steel components in France, shipped them across the Atlantic Ocean, and assembled them in Chile during construction.
Location: Collipulli
Official opening: October 26, 1890
Height: 102 m
Length: 347.5 m
Made from material: steel
GPS coordinates: -37.96306,-72.43889
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:50
Gustave Eiffel and his firm designed and constructed metal bridges across several continents between the 1860s and early 1900s. These structures enabled railway and road connections over rivers, gorges, and valleys. The bridges used wrought iron and later steel, with truss and arch designs that represented advanced engineering methods for their time. Examples of this work are found in Portugal, where the Maria Pia Bridge crosses the Douro River, and in France, including the Garabit Viaduct over the Truyère. In Vietnam, the Long Bien Bridge connects Hanoi across the Red River. Additional structures stand in Peru, Bolivia, and other South American countries. Many of these bridges remain operational or accessible as preserved engineering monuments.
Nahuelbuta National Park
52 km
Tolhuaca National Park
61 km
Tolhuaca
79.5 km
Fuerte Histórico de Nacimiento
55.1 km
Estadio Municipal de Los Ángeles
55.3 km
Plaza de Armas de Los Ángeles
55.3 km
Malleco National Reserve
60.5 km
Fuerte de Purén
55.6 km
Plaza de Armas
30.4 km
Puente ferroviario Biobío en Coihue
47.8 km
St. Mary of the Angels Cathedral
55.4 km
Pemehue
64.7 km
Museo Histórico Dillman S. Bullock
24.9 km
Capilla del Hospital San Sebastián
55 km
Altos de Pemehue National Reserve
72.2 km
Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción (Angol)
30 km
Puente ferroviario La Laja
81.2 km
Iglesia de San Felipe Neri
54.9 km
Parroquia San Enrique de Purén
56.2 km
Church of St. Leonard of Port Maurice
602 m
Museo Histórico de Purén
56.1 km
Memorial de los Detenidos Desaparecidos y Ejecutados Políticos de Los Ángeles
55.1 km
Memorial de Lautaro
60.7 km
Memorial en Homenaje a las Víctimas de Violaciones a los Derechos Humanos de Laja
79.5 km
Memorial de Mulchén
32.5 km
Casa Schmidlin
55.5 km
Memorial del Detenido Desaparecido y Ejecutado Político de Santa Bárbara y Quilaco
49.4 km
Fuerte San Carlos de Purén
42.9 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes