Cañete is a city and commune in Chile in Arauco Province, Biobío Region. It's located 135 km to the south of Concepción. Cañete is known as the "Historic City" (Spanish: ciudad histórica), due it is one of the oldest cities of Chile, the Battle of Tucapel and Pedro de Valdivia's death happened near the current city's ubication, and has been a recurrent place in Arauco War.

Cañete was founded by Governor García Hurtado de Mendoza as Cañete de la Frontera, in honor of his father, Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza, 3rd Marquis of Cañete. His title was originated by villa Cañete, in Crown of Castile.

Before the founding, the place was known as Tucapel, which means taking by force in Mapudungun.

Currently, Cañete is known as the Historic City (Spanish: ciudad histórica) by mass media.

In 1552, Pedro de Valdivia founded the Fort Tucapel, next to the present city of Cañete. In 1553, after destroying the fort, the native Mapuche defeated the Spanish army here in the Battle of Tucapel, and killed Pedro de Valdivia.

In January 1558, Governor García Hurtado de Mendoza founded the city as Cañete de la Frontera three kilometers to the west of the present location of the city. Hurtado de Mendoza named Alonso de Reinoso as corregidor of the Corregimiento of Cañete. The Mapuches, leadered by Caupolican, besieged the city, but were defeated in the battle of the Fort of Cañete.