Piedra de la Iglesia - Constitución

An essential postcard for anyone visiting the city known as the Pearl of Maule. Piedra de la Iglesia is a striking rock formation that belongs to a group of coastal rocks declared a Nature Sanctuary in 2007.

The Rocas de Constitución are spread across two coastal areas of the municipality. One includes Piedra de las Ventanas and Piedra del León; the other includes Piedra del Elefante, Piedra de la Iglesia and Las Termópilas.

The best known and most visited is Piedra de la Iglesia. It is an enormous vaulted rock about 50 meters high, where marine erosion has carved caves into its interior. These caves can be visited when the tide is low.

This formation and the surrounding rocks are also highly valuable for local wildlife, providing nesting sites for several species of gulls, gannets, cormorants and pelicans.

Their protection as a Nature Sanctuary in 2007 also recognized their cultural importance. For generations, these rocks have been symbols of Constitución and an important part of the city’s identity. They have also inspired local legends involving pirates and shipwrecks.

Did you know?

In 2021, graffiti damage inside Piedra de la Iglesia was formally reported. Chilean law establishes penalties for damaging or affecting the integrity of a national monument, including prison sentences and substantial fines. Protecting this natural landmark is therefore both a civic responsibility and a legal obligation.