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Museums

Several museums protect and tell the history of the Araucanía. The pre-Columbian archeology, anthropology and Mapuche people legacy are the main themes treated by the existing collections. Others reveal the arrival of the Spanish and the colonization remains with its consequent influence and changes produced to native people. Likewise, the legacy of Nobel Prize for Literature, Pablo Neruda, is presented, in addition to showing the colonization that followed the Spanish one, such as the German from the second half of the XIX or the Italian at the beginning of XX century.
The most outstanding places in the area are the Museo regional de La Araucanía and Museo Nacional Ferroviario Pablo Neruda in Temuco, in additionto the Museo Dillman Bullock in the city of Angol.

Crafts

The Mapuche identity can also be appreciated in the crafts created mainly by women and that can be found in region stores, farmers’ fairs and markets. Insilver, there are beautiful accessories made for the female traditional outfit; of wool, the characteristic ponchos and belts; in leather, domestic use and collection work objects made from animal skin and internal organs; in basketry, trays and ornamental objects; in wood, domestic items as plates, religious objects and the typical seat or wanko; and, in ceramic, meaningful articles as the metawe ceremonial jar, among other pieces.
Some of the outstanding places to visit and buy regional crafts are the Fundación Chol-Chol and Casa de la Mujer Mapuche in Temuco. On the other side, Villarrica holds an acknowledged prestige thanks to the crafts made of Raulí wood, of a reddish-like color, and that is reflected in hundreds of sophisticated and rustic designs. It is possible to find artisans and local artists in practically all touristic areas in the region, offering their valuable work at different prices.