The Viña del Cerro, declared a National Monument, is an archaeological center located 88 km southeast of Copiapó. It was built in 1860 for the mining entrepreneur Apolinario Soto.

Here you can see the development of mining and metallurgy in the Copiapó valley during the 15th century, when it was worked by the Incas. This foundry, now restored, was built comprising three different sectors: a living area, a working area and the smelting area.

It has a high, central lookout tower, from which there is access to a beautiful winding staircase made of fine wood. There are four rooms on the ground floor.

Its location is strategic, since the winds that blow down the valley provide good combustion for the establishment’s metallurgical work.

Today it is part of the south campus of the Universidad de Atacama.