Talcamávida facts for kids

Talcamávida is a small town in the Hualqui area of Chile. It sits on the north side of the Bio Bio River, right across from Santa Juana. This town is in a flat area near the river, about 42 kilometers (26 miles) from the Pacific Ocean. It's surrounded by tall, wooded mountains to the north. Talcamávida is 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Yumbel to the east, 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Hualqui, and 47 kilometers (29 miles) from Concepción to the north.

North of Talcamávida are the Quilacoya River and the Millahue stream. Long ago, in these valleys and mountains, Pedro de Valdivia made the Moluche people of Quilacoya work in the rich gold mines. Later, in 1560, García Hurtado de Mendoza built a small fort there. This fort was destroyed many times by local native groups but was rebuilt by Governor Pedro Porter Casanate. The town itself wasn't truly settled until 1756, when Governor Manuel de Amat y Junyent rebuilt the fort again and named the town San Rafael de Talcamávida. In 1821, the town was burned by the same royalist forces that attacked Santa Juana. By 1872, Talcamávida became a train station on the line connecting Concepción and San Rosendo.

A Look Back at Talcamávida's History

The story of Talcamávida began long before the Spanish arrived. It was once a home for a group of people called "Antileo Indians." They lived along the banks of the Biobío River. We know this because old tools like perforated stones and pieces of pottery have been found there.

Early Invasions and Gold Mines

In the 15th century, Talcamávida was also part of the second invasion Chile experienced. This was when the Incas, led by Huayna Capac, tried to expand their empire. However, the brave and strong Mapuche people stopped them from moving further south and settling in the area. The Incas had to go back to the Maule River, which then became the border. Even though the Incas didn't settle, they still had contact with the local people. They also temporarily used the gold mines in Quilacoya.