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All Chile Hualqui 'Independent Republic' of Hualqui

'Independent Republic' of Hualqui

Despite being of the most short-lived republics in history, this small Chilean town won’t forget its two days of independence.

Hualqui, Chile

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E Capemarsh
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Tourist office of the “Republic of Hualqui.”   Capemarsh / Atlas Obscura User
Tourist office of the “Republic of Hualqui.”   Capemarsh / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the 16th-century fort.   Thepencopolitan.rockers/public domain
View from the fort.   Capemarsh / Atlas Obscura User
Tourist office of the “Republic of Hualqui.”   Capemarsh / Atlas Obscura User
Central Hualqui   Capemarsh / Atlas Obscura User
Rehue (Altar of the Mapuche) inside the fort.   Capemarsh / Atlas Obscura User
A Chilean naval gun in the plaza proves Hualqui is trusted now!   Capemarsh / Atlas Obscura User
Flag of Hualqui   Carlos yo/cc by-sa 4.0
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About

This unassuming town of 22,000 inhabitants near Concepción, Chile, is still known locally as La República Independiente de Hualqui, or the Independent Republic of Hualqui. An otherwise typical central Chilean town, the "republic" boasts a 16th-century fortress and a surprising history.

During the Chilean Wars of Independence (from 1810 to 1826), this tiny riverside settlement was right at the frontier of the Chilean territory. The people of Hualqui were caught in the crossfire as Chilean nationalists fought troops loyal to Spain for ultimate control. Eventually, Hualqui was abandoned by both combatants, and left vulnerable to famine and attack by the Mapuche tribe that controlled the land south of the river.

For the war-weary and starving population of Hualqui, enough was enough. They duly declared their small municipality and its tiny fortress to be an independent republic in 1823 in the hope that they would be able to decide their own fate without state interference or invasion, and be left alone for once. Unfortunately for the newly free citizens of Hualqui, they were not left alone for long. A small detachment of troops from the city of Concepción, 20 miles downstream, violently quashed the rebellion two days after the declaration of independence. Thus, the fledgling Republic of Hualqui was reabsorbed into the only slightly less fledgling yet infinitely more sustainable Republic of Chile.

Nevertheless, Hualqui has yet to forget its brief statehood, and still boasts its own flag, a "national" soccer team (Club Deportivo República Independiente de Hualqui), an online TV Channel (La República Independiente TV), an official magazine published by the local council (La República Independiente), and a "national" radio station (Radio República). The fort of 1577 still exists as a small park and viewpoint in the town, and can be visited free of charge.

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Micro Nations Politics History Fortresses

Know Before You Go

By car, from Concepción, take the O-60 signposted Chiguayante, then follow signs for Hualqui. By public transport, the 18P bus from Concepción runs to Hualqui every 10 minutes and takes around an hour. The map coordinates above are for the 16th-century fort.

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Added By

Capemarsh

Published

June 28, 2019

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Sources
  • http://www.munihualqui.cl/revista-la-republica-n-31-1429633017.html
  • https://www.facebook.com/R.I.HUALQUI/
  • https://resumen.cl/articulos/hualqui-la-republica-independiente
  • http://micronaciones.wikia.com/wiki/Rep%C3%BAblica_independiente_de_Hualqui
  • http://pasancosas-conce.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/la-republica-independiente-y-autonoma.html
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJYhzmkeqGlCCD7o0Qn92UA
'Independent Republic' of Hualqui
Condell
Hualqui
Chile
-36.976295, -72.941408
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