In 2016, in the commune of Limache in Chile's Valparaíso region, tunnels connecting to various parts of the city—including the CCU brewery—were discovered beneath a hatch in the gardens of the landmark Eastman Mansion. Prompted by uncertainty over why they were built, an investigation was launched, with the findings behind the project's origins finally revealed in 2021.
Measuring approximately 1.60 meters high by 1.0 meter wide, the tunnels are built of stone and brick and stretch five to six kilometers, according to Fernando Venegas, the historian leading the research project funded by the Ministry of Cultures' Heritage Fund. Although various rumors surround their creation, several Chilean cities—such as Santiago and Chillán—feature similar networks linked to historic agricultural and livestock estates. The history of the central valleys remains largely unknown to many today, but it is gradually being reconstructed through discoveries like this.
The research team uncovered contracts from 1884 in which Tomás Eastman Quiroga, owner of the Limache estate, agreed to build vaulted canals to transport irrigation water and sanitize the city, revealing the true purpose behind the construction. At the time, the city was developing its urban layout. Due to the high demand for milk, barley, and wheat distributed throughout the region, keeping waste and odors away from agricultural production and daily urban life was essential. Water was the primary resource sustaining the estate, a hierarchical system that shaped the development of many Chilean cities.
Understanding this urban hydraulic work is essential to grasping the history of water in the Limache Valley—a critical issue both nationally and internationally today, particularly for central valleys affected by drought and consequently for the human settlements in the region. Regarding the property, the municipality of Limache aims to fully restore the mansion to establish a community cultural center, highlighting its historical heritage. Currently, the Eastman Mansion serves as the Limache music conservatory. The building opens to the public for Heritage Day, allowing visitors to explore every corner of the property.
This article was written by Victoria Riquelme. The translation is powered by AI.
