Hornos de Lonquén

Hornos de Lonquén consists of two brick lime kilns located at the base of Lonquén hill within a protected area in Talagante. The preserved structures stand on accessible grounds where visitors can walk designated paths to examine the kilns and the surrounding landscape.

The site gained prominence in 1978 when remains of fifteen workers who vanished in October 1973 were discovered during investigation. This finding transformed it into a focal point for understanding a difficult period in Chilean history.

The site represents how Chile addresses difficult chapters of its past and keeps collective memory alive through dedicated spaces. Visitors encounter a place shaped by the need to acknowledge what happened here and to ensure people remember.

Visitors should wear comfortable footwear as the grounds are uneven and best explored on foot along the marked paths. It is wise to allow time to walk slowly and take in the space, as the visit is meaningful when approached thoughtfully.

The kilns were originally working lime production facilities before becoming a memorial site, showing how ordinary places can be marked by history. This transformation reflects the unexpected ways that landscapes can carry the weight of national memory.