2 Best Sights in El Norte Grande, Chile

This theater testifies to the wealth the town once possessed. Built in 1892 at the height of the nitrate boom, it has lavish touches, such as the painted cherubs dancing across the ceiling. The theater sits right on the edge of the sea, and waves crash against its walls, throwing eerie echoes through the empty, forgotten auditorium. You can get the key, and a very informative free tour, from a woman in the tourist kiosk opposite the theater.

The town's most famous sight, this clock tower, built in 1887 from Oregon pine, stands on a hill overlooking the city; its blue and white paint peeling in the hot coastal sun. Constructed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, it is an excellent place to catch views of the town and its port.