Ercilla was established in 1936.[2] The magazine was published on a biweekly basis[1] and had its headquarters in Santiago.[3] It featured articles on news and cultural events.[1] The magazine was published by a state-controlled company, Zig-Zag, which was later renamed Quimantu, until the coup d'état in Chile in 1973.[4] However, the magazine had an independent editorial stance and in fact, was critical of Salvador Allende just before the collapse of the Allende government.[4] In addition it held a conservative stance until the coup.[1]
Sergio Mujica was the owner of Ercilla until March 1976 when it was seized and was sold to a company owned by the Pinochet supporters.[5][6][7]
In November 1991 Ercilla temporarily ceased publication.[8]