Hacienda El Huique

Hacienda El Huique is a rural estate in Palmilla, Chile, organized around fourteen distinct courtyards linked by traditional adobe buildings with brick foundations. A French garden with ancient palm trees and various structures form the core of this expansive property.

The estate originated from Larmagüe land grants in 1613 and passed to the Echenique family in 1751, who expanded the grounds and built new structures. It later became a national monument under Chilean Army conservation management beginning in 1976.

The neoclassical church built in 1852 displays a three-arch portico with a wooden tower rising about 23 meters, representing rural Chilean architectural traditions. This structure shapes the visual identity of the entire estate.

The property is open to the public through guided tours to an on-site museum that provides an overview of the estate's history and layout. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as the grounds are expansive and exploring the various courtyards involves walking.

The property was once owned by Federico Errázuriz Echaurren, a former President of Chile, who married Gertrudis Echenique, the sole heir of the estate. This union of political influence and landed family lineage underscored the hacienda's importance in regional history.