The sculptures were commissioned by the Arica Development Corporation to mark the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Americas.
Juan Díaz Fleming intended the figures to represent the mythical guardians of the ancient Andean cultures.
The hollow construction of the sculptures allows the high desert wind to pass through them, often creating audible whistling sounds.
The site was officially inaugurated in 1997, three years before the turn of the millennium.
Despite their size, the sculptures are often missed by drivers due to the lack of prominent signage along the high-speed highway.
Presencias Tutelares is a collection of three massive concrete sculptures located in the middle of the Atacama Desert, roughly 20 kilometers south of Arica. Created by Chilean artist Juan Díaz Fleming in 1997, the sculptures were commissioned as part of a project to celebrate the dawn of the third millennium. The figures stand approximately 10 meters tall and are designed to resemble ancestral human forms guarding the desert landscape. Constructed from reinforced concrete, they are intentionally weathered to blend with the arid environment. The site is situated along the Pan-American Highway (Ruta 5), making it a frequent stop for travelers moving between northern and southern Chile. There are no man-made amenities or enclosures at the site, leaving the sculptures exposed to the high winds and intense solar radiation of the region.
Position yourself at a distance to capture all three figures in a single frame, framing them against the vast, empty background of the Atacama Desert.
Bring a windbreaker, as the desert plateau is subject to persistent, high-velocity winds.
Apply high-SPF sunscreen and wear a hat, as there is absolutely no shade at the site.
Remain on established dirt tracks to avoid disturbing the fragile desert crust surrounding the sculptures.
Do not attempt to climb the sculptures, as the concrete surface is weathered and fragile, and there is no maintenance staff on-site to assist in case of injury.
