This beautiful town is named after its patron San Pedro (Saint Peter), and the word Atacama, which, according to the ancestors, comes from “Accatchca” in the Cunza language and means Head of the country.  With time, this term went through modifications until it arrived at today’s pronunciation.   It was conquered by the Incas in 1450 and then by the Spaniards in 1540 becoming a cabildo (a Chilean government seat) in 1555.

The town square is without a doubt one of the main attractions of Chile’s archeological Capital. There is nothing better than to watch time go by under its enormous pepper or molle trees which will cool you off in the summer evenings. 

On one side of the square we find the San Pedro de Atacama Church, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful churches of the north of Chile. Its construction date is unknown, however, it already served as a parish in 1641.  In 1951 it was declared a National Monument.  The walls are made of adobe and the ceilings are made of Chañar tree (Geoffroea decorticans), locust tree, and clay, which were later covered with cactus wood. 

Across from the square you’ll find the Municipality of San Pedro of Atacama, the police, the post office, the Padre le Paige Museum (described in the Archeological Tour section) and the tourist information office.