Porvenir's Historical Architecture

Porvenir is a good example of Fuegian architecture. Here, the style was made distinctive by the Croatians and Chilotes who came to colonize this bay. A few of the buildings date from 1900-1905, though most are from the 1920s-30s, when the elite was rolling in the wealth of sheep farming. Several have now found a new life as hotels. Some of the more noteworthy edifices are:

Iglesia San Francisco de Sales (1900-05) — The original village church, its design was inspired by Monseñor Fagnano, who founded the parish in 1898 (Calle Croacia, between Phillipi and Schythe).

Casa de Miguel Radonich (1900-05) — In the house of one of Chile's pioneering filmmaker families operated Tierra del Fuego's first movie house, until 1945 (Avenida Señoret and Calle Silva).

Club Croata (1926) — Built by Simón Cvitanic, this is the social center for the descendants of Croatian immigrants and one of Porvenir's finest restaurants (Avenida Señoret, between Gamero and Phillipi).

Casa de Piedra (late 19th century) — This is Porvenir's oldest edifice. Owner Natalio Foretic used it to make cal (lime) that was used in building construction in this town and in Punta Arenas (far side of bay, 2 kilometers / 1.2 miles southwest of Porvenir).

Location:
Porvenir, Chile

Historical Building Types:
Historic architecture

Travel Tips: Ask for the historical architecture brochure-map at the tourism office.

Price Description: Free.

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: None

Walk along the costanera; visit Museo Provincial Fernando Cordero Rusque; bird watch at Monumental Natural Laguna de los Cisnes or take a boat tour of Bahía de Porvenir to see dolphins. Hit the various circuits through the surrounding countryside: Histórico Cultural, de Oro and de Petróleo. Go fishing at Lago Blanco, or trek the Cordillera Darwin, Parque Nacional Alberto de Agostini and other reserves.

Currencies accepted
Chilean Peso

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began traipsing throughout...

Created: 28 May 2009

Updated: 10 Jun 2009

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