Capilla de La Dormida

Capilla de La Dormida is a colonial-era religious building with stone foundations, thick adobe walls, and wooden roof trusses. The structure stands at the base of Cuesta La Dormida, roughly 17 kilometers from central Olmué.

The original chapel was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia as a mandatory stop on the royal road between Santiago and Valparaíso. The current building dates from 1645 and served as an important waypoint for traveling pilgrims and merchants.

The chapel and its adjacent cemetery show religious practices and building techniques from Spanish colonial times in central Chile. They offer insight into the daily life of early settlers in this region.

The chapel is reachable by following the road through Cuesta La Dormida within the Valparaíso region. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the terrain is hilly and paths can be uneven.

The chapel lost its importance in 1795 when Governor Ambrosio O'Higgins established a new route through Casablanca Valley. This change in travel paths meant the chapel was largely bypassed and has remained relatively undisturbed since then.

Location: Olmué

Part of: list of national monuments of the Region of Valparaíso

GPS coordinates: -33.06129,-71.06166

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46