Ignatius Domeyko is an extremely distinguished figure for Chile. His work and research contributed greatly to the economic and cultural development of the country. Domeyko's motto in life was: "When living, be useful to others, otherwise do not live".

The early biography of Ignacy Domeyko (1802-1889) is dominated by elements common to the representatives of the first generation "born in captivity, forged in powwow". A descendant of a wealthy landed gentry house from the Novgorod region, he was a co-organiser and active participant in secret, patriotic self-education associations of students and graduates of Vilnius University - the Philomaths and Philarets. During the investigation he was imprisoned with others in the Basilian Monastery, tried in a trial immortalised in Dziady (as Zegota), a drama written by his friend Adam Mickiewicz. Resourceful farmer, modernising the inherited estate. November insurgent, and consequently a political émigré in Saxony and France (1832-1837). From childhood, his keen interest in natural sciences led him to study in Paris at the prestigious university of mines (École des mines).

I. Domeyko to Chile
A turning point in Ignatius Domeyko's life turned out to be his acceptance in 1837 of an offer to become a lecturer in chemistry, mineralogy and metallurgy at a mining school in Coquimbo in northern Chile. He arrived here in June 1838 after a four-month journey, the last leg of which he travelled on horseback from Buenos Aires, through the Andes. At the end of his contract, in 1846, he intended to return to Europe, but the government of the Chilean Republic then engaged him to reform higher education. Contrary to his original plans, he therefore remained in Chile for the rest of his life. This decision was certainly influenced by the granting of citizenship and his marriage to a Chilean woman, Enriqueta Sotomayor.

Work and research in Chile
During the next twenty years of work, Ignatius Domeyko created the system of higher education and the organisation of science in Chile from scratch. He transformed the provincial Universidad de Chile in Santiago into a modern university, modelled on German universities and the University of Vilnius. He served as its rector from 1867 to 1883.

Mineralogical and geological research, initiated by Ignatius Domeyka, significantly facilitated the knowledge and exploitation of Chile's mineral wealth and accelerated the development of the mining and quarrying industry. The scientist discovered coal and silver deposits, which are still exploited today. He also drew attention to the possibility of exploiting the rich saltpeter deposits. Domeyko included the results of his research in a textbook on mineralogy (Elementos de mineralojia, o del conocimiento de las especies minerale en jeneral, i en particular de las de Chile), which was repeatedly reprinted and enjoyed an international reputation. In addition, he has published studies in geology and ethnography.

Ignacy Domeyko as a Pole
Throughout his stay in Chile, Domeyko maintained lively contacts with the country. In 1884, the aged scholar went on a four-year journey to Europe. During this trip, he visited Krakow, Warsaw and his hometown in Lithuania. In the autumn of 1888, he returned to Chile, where he died shortly afterwards.

Patron saint of mountains, cities and ...
The descendants of Ignatius Domeyko, who live in Chile, keep the house in the historic centre of Santiago in their hands, which their protoplast acquired after settling in the capital; they have created a kind of museum exhibition there. They also look after Domeyko's legacy (library, archives). The name of the Polish geologist was given to a mountain range in the Chilean Andes (Cordillera de Domeyko), a number of palaeontological taxa (for example, the Domeykosaurus dinosaur) or one of the asteroids (2784 Domeyko).

Tombstone of I. Domeyko in Chile
In recognition of his services, Ignatius Domeyko was buried in Chile's national necropolis, the Cementerio General in Santiago. The funeral was a state funeral. The preserved contemporary monument to Domeyko and his family - undoubtedly one of the most interesting Polish monuments in Latin America - was erected in 1902. The monument, with a multi-element composition, is located at the intersection of Domeyko-Sazie Avenue (between quarters: 23, 24, 25 and 26).

The tombstone has the shape of a tall (6.6 m), free-standing column, set on an octagonal, decorated base. The monument sits on a three-tiered base; on the east side is the entrance to the burial crypt, covered by a slab from the original tomb. The expanded column base is topped by a bust of Domeyko. The base of the column is clearly separated from the high, chamfered planes of the shaft. In the middle are convexly carved, ornate shields of arms. They depict: the coat of arms of the Domeyko family, Dangiel (north side), the national emblem of the Republic: Eagle and Pogo (west side), the national emblem of Chile (south side); decorative elements of sepulchral art are placed on the east side.

The column at the top expands into a rounded head decorated with a decorative ornament in the shape of stylised acanthus leaves. On it is a bust of the deceased placed on a circular base. It depicts an elderly man in a frock-coat with wide lapels, shirt on a stand-up collar, decorated with a tied ribbon.

The column is made of dark greyish-green gabbro, its base and base of dark granite, while the bust is made of white marble.

The inscriptions on the monument, forged in depth, fill the four side planes of the shaft. The main inscription (on the north side), dedicated to Ignatius Domeyka, reads:

YGNACIO DOMEYKO

RECTOR DE LA

UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

* POLONIA 31 DE JULIO DE 1802

SANTIAGO 23 DE ENERO DE 1889

On the local pages of the second of the original inscriptions, dedicated to his wife:

ENRIQUETA SOTOMAYOR

DE DOMEYKO

1835 1870

Other inscriptions commemorate deceased members of the Domeyko family, Ignatius' children and grandchildren.

Other inscriptions commemorate deceased members of the Domeyko family, children and grandchildren of Ignatius.

The Domeyko gravestone monument is characterised by a high level of workmanship. It is the product of a local stonemason's workshop; unfortunately its author is unknown.

In 2006. Polish Community Association implemented - with funds from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage - a project for the comprehensive conservation of this tombstone monument. The work was carried out by the art conservator Professor Janusz Smaza; logistical support was provided by the Polish embassy in Santiago.