Chile Travel and News | By Raul Silva M.
If you're looking for a day trip from Santiago that combines culture, cuisine, and nature, consider visiting Pomaire. This small town, renowned for its pottery and giant empanadas (Chilean turnovers), has a population of around 10,000 residents. Located in the municipality of Melipilla, it’s about 50 km west of Santiago and accessible via Ruta 78, also known as Autopista del Sol.
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| Image: diariolabrador.cl |
Its history dates back to pre-Hispanic times, when the Inca and Diaguita natives settled in the area and discovered the richness of the land. Its name may derive from the Cunza language, Quechua, or Aymara, and it means "assailant" or "puma."Today, Pomaire is an ideal destination for those who want to experience Chilean culture and folk art. It is well known among Chileans as a town of great tradition and close to Santiago, the capital city. However, for many foreign tourists, Pomaire remains a place to discover. Its main attractions include the pottery workshops scattered throughout the town.
Traditions
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| Piggy banks, handicraft |
Since ancient times, clay pottery has made this village famous. Surrounded by hills that have provided the necessary raw material for centuries, pottery has been the main activity here since before the arrival of the conquistadors. Along its main streets, workshops manufacture and offer thousands of artifacts. This noble material can be shaped into a variety of forms, from large "cántaros" (jugs), cookware, and dishes to small "chanchitos de greda" (clay piggy banks), which make excellent souvenirs. Visitors can choose from a range of shops and prices.
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| "El Cototudo" Restaurant |
But Pomaire is not only known for its handicrafts; it also offers delicious traditional food, including "cazuelas" (hen, pork, or beef soups), Chilean "empanadas," "arrollado" (meat roll), "perniles" (pork leg), "pastel de choclo" (corn pie), "chancho en piedra" (a traditional Chilean sauce), and the delectable "humitas" as its most famous dishes.
"Empanadas," one of Chile's most iconic foods, are turnovers that can be filled with meat, cheese, seafood, or vegetables and baked in a clay oven. Pomaire's empanadas are particularly notable for their size, weighing up to a kilogram each!
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that Taste Atlas, an online platform that provides information on traditional food and beverages from around the world, has named "chancho en piedra" as "The Best-Rated Salsa in the World 2023." The town's main streets, Roberto Bravo and San Antonio, are lined with pottery shops, and many restaurants compete to attract diners.
Nearby Pomaire, you can explore the Rutas del Vino (Wine Routes), where you can visit wineries and sample high-quality Chilean wines.
Although it’s just over 70 kilometers away, you can also look for tours that include both Pomaire and a visit to the house of Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda in Isla Negra on Chile’s central coast, now a house-museum.
Pomaire is a destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you're interested in art, food, or nature, you'll find it in this charming town. Don’t miss the chance to explore the little town of Pomaire on your next trip to Chile.
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