El Totoral
Inventing Papers
An artisanal and sustainable experience, we will visit the charming workshop of a family business dedicated to the creation of handmade paper. Founded by Victoria Aguirre and her son Oliver Rojas in 2017, this venture is distinguished by its innovative papers made from locally collected fibers. They promote the use of plant fibers, recycled cellulose and reused textiles in each sheet, turning their passion into a business model that encourages respect for natural resources and creativity.
One of the most notable innovations of the workshop is the in-house manufacture of a Hollander beater, a machine that allows various vegetable and recycled fibers to be processed efficiently, achieving a production of up to three tons per year. This advance has made it possible to customize papers and adapt them to the specific needs of artists, designers and graphic arts fans, who value the quality and originality of each piece.
Inventando Papeles also contributes to education by offering workshops on paper recycling and craft techniques, both to the community and educational institutions, encouraging the creative use of paper and promoting awareness about the importance of responsible practices.
Our Lady of Mercy Chapel and Parish Cemetery
El Totoral
Nuestra Señora de la Merced Chapel will be our second stop on the Pablo Neruda & Coastal Treasures Tour. This colonial jewel, located in El Totoral – a picturesque rural town about 12 kilometers from Isla Negra -, crossing a road surrounded by vegetation and gentle hills.
Built in 1815 and declared a National Monument in 1995, this chapel is an emblem of traditional Chilean architecture. Its adobe and wood structure, tile roof and pine and cypress ceiling, along with its carved beams and tile floors, create a rustic space full of history.
Inside is a historical image of the Virgin of Mercy, donated by Casimiro Marcó del Pont, the last Spanish governor of the Kingdom of Chile, who sought refuge in this area during independence. This religious icon connects visitors with the colonial past and with the Christian devotion that persists in the community to this day.
The chapel celebrates its patron saint’s day every September 24 in honor of the Virgin of Mercy, an event that includes a solemn mass “Chilean style”, a procession to La Cruz hill and songs to the divine, a reflection of the deep local devotion . The festival brings together faithful and visitors, who also participate in the famous Fiesta de la Chilenidad. This event, full of music, dance and typical flavors, allows visitors to enjoy local crafts, such as weaving, ceramics and wood carvings.
Surrounded by pine and eucalyptus trees, the chapel and its surroundings offer a space where sustainable tourism and respect for local traditions intertwine to provide an enriching experience, uniting history, spirituality and nature in a peaceful corner of the Valparaíso Region.
