This gigantic work called “Mano del Desierto” in Spanish is not the best known. However, it is worth the detour! This sculpture is located in the northwest of Chile, 75 km south of the city of Antofagasta on the edge of Route 5 in the Atacama Desert. It is thus easily accessible to travellers, especially those who are on a road trip across the country. If you are in the area, we advise you to go there at all costs! You will not be disappointed by the sight of this marvelous Main of the Desert during your excursion in this magnificent country.
La Main du Désert: an unmissable site in Latin America
This gigantic buried hand is the work of Chilean Mario Irarrázabal. It was created in 1992 and inaugurated more precisely on March 28 of the same year. A local development organization has financed the work and takes care of its maintenance, especially when it is the target of deterioration such as graffiti. If it is so sumptuous, it is in particular thanks to its immensity. Indeed, the sculpture rises to 1,100 meters in height. This is why many tourists choose to make a detour inside Chile to see this extraordinary work with their own eyes.
A symbolic work
Following the inauguration of the Hand of the Desert , many visitors who were unaware of its existence wondered about its significance. Indeed, it can be very surprising to discover such a monument by surprise and without any information… The artist Mario Irarrázabal does not really help passers-by to solve this mystery. He said that each person who admires this work has their own interpretation. While some think it’s just a hand waving goodbye, many add a much stronger meaning. torture suffered during the military dictatorship in Chile, namely between 1973 and 1990.
To get your own opinion on this mythical sculpture, go to the other side of the world. To get there, you can rent a car on site or prefer to trust a local guide who will be able to take you there and help you discover other wonders of the region. Have a good trip !
Article updated on 7 December 2022
