Our Casona is a special place, located in the heart of the Casablanca Valley. In what was formerly the El Refugio estate, which gives its name to this sector of the Valley, easily accessible from Route 68, stands this colonial-style Chilean mansion surrounded by a true oasis of nature.
This Casona was owned byFernando Ibarra Torrealba, who was the mayor of Casablanca and recognized for his contribution to the development of the community.
As mayor and in his personal life, he was a faithful representative of the traditions of the Chilean countryside, a passion he inherited from his father Germán Ibarra.
Germán Ibarra Alcántara was also one of the promoters of Chilean customs and traditions. His work at the Braden Copper Company and his active social participation in Rancagua led him to promote the construction of the famous Medialuna of Rancagua.
"In the summer of 1948, the old Medialuna of Rancagua, built entirely of wood, was inaugurated. At that time, it had a capacity for 6,000 people and was the largest in terms of audience capacity. Its construction was thanks to the help of private individuals, such as Germán Ibarra Alcántara, to whom a plaque is dedicated in the venue, and to considerable assistance from the Braden Copper Company (now CODELCO Division El Teniente)."
Following the family legacy, and with the aim of continuing to promote the tourism development of the Casablanca Valley and the preservation of its traditions and history, in 2019 José Antonio Ibarra Morán, son of Don Fernando, decided to restore and expand what had been his old family house in order to create the space as it can be visited today.
Not without complications, and having to face the COVID crisis, this project opened its doors in 2023 to welcome visitors from all over the world and to contribute to the knowledge and development of Casablanca..
