ATTRACTIONS

Nostalgic streets, European-looking houses built by the German that arrived here in the 19th century, coquettish seafront avenues and markets offering all kinds of fish and shellfish are the main features of this unique southern city, an obliged stopover for exciting adventures in Patagonia.

In the city

- Plaza de Armas, this square tells the history of Puerto Montt's creation. Here, in 1853, Vicente Perez Rosales, and the parish priest of Ancud, Miguel Sevilla, read the decree declaring the city founded.
A year before, the first street grid, including the plaza, named Buenaventura Martinez, as a tribute to one of the co-founders of the city, had been laid out.
The plaza, throughout its hundred year history, has been remodelled four times. However, its aspect isn't the only thing about it that is different: it is now called Manuel Irarrazabal. The center of this public space is adorned with a pool, in the middle of which there is a monument to Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme, Chile's liberator.
It has been the first public plaza in the country to show a beautiful flower garden.

- Cathedral Church, its design evokes the colossal Parthenon of Athens, this feature giving it a special charm of its own among Chile's temples. It was built entirely of larch wood in 1856, and it is the oldest building in Puerto Montt.

In its interior, Vicente Perez Rosales put the founding decree of the city. The foundation stone of Puerto Montt is also incorporated into one of its pillars, giving this place of worship a special historical value.
Beside the Cathedral lies the chapel of San Francisco de Sales, an attractive building with murals and strong neo-gothic influence.

- Monument to the German settlement, on November 22, 1852, 200 German settlers were the first to arrive in Puerto Montt. With their determination and work ethic they played a major part in the development of this area of the country, giving it a unique personality which includes European airs and customs.
On the 125th anniversary of the arrival of these men and women who brought progress to the south of Chile, a monument was raised in their honor on the seafront avenue, depicting a family of settlers and a native inhabitant.

- Diego Rivera Art Salon, this is Puerto Montt's most important cultural center. It is known as "Palacio del Arte" (Palace of Art), and one of its main events is the International Theatre Festival held in winter. Besides, its galleries display the works of local artists, giving relief to the new movement in plastic arts in the Region de Los Lagos (Lake Region).
The Palace was built between 1960 and 1963, thanks to a cooperation agreement between Chile and Mexico, signed in the wake of a devastating earthquake that shook southern Chile.

- Angelmo, in the late 19th century, the cove of Angelmo, sited only 2 kms from the Puerto Montt Plaza de Armas, became popular. From then on, and throughout the 20th century, this place offered a series of tourist attractions that no traveller wanted to miss. Some of the beads on this rosary can be discovered from Puerto de Barcos, where one takes ferries to different destinations, such Chiloe, the thermal baths of Puyuhuapi, Aysen, Laguna San Rafael and Puerto Natales.
Besides, in the Puerto de Islas launches, schooners and sailboats offer tours of the wonderful nearby coast. Another adventure option is sailing to the estuary of Reloncavi. After 6 hours of seaborne adventure one gets to the farming and fishing village of Cochamo. This, needless to say, is an unforgettable experience.
Another nautical option is visiting Tenglo, an island separated from the mainland by a narrow channel (no more than 150 m wide). To visit it, one must take a boat from Angelmo.
During the excursion, one enjoys the pretty landscape and once in the island one can climb to a peak surmounted by a cross, from which one gets a wonderful view of Puerto Montt and of the volcanoes Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo.
As well as the possibility of sea excursions, you will find in Angelmo a vigorous and picturesque trading activity where the local inhabitants hold Chile's biggest fish and shellfish market. This is a real "temple to seafood".
Within the market there are fishmongers, shellfish vendors and traditional restaurants where local dishes and specialties are offered, such as curantos, caldillos, pailas marinas (for further information see "gastronomy"). One can also savor the wonderful local bread.
A nice place to go is the Handicrafts Market on Avenida Costanera, the seafront road skirting the bay in Puerto Montt. On this road one can admire sculptures such as the Mirador and Sentados Frente al Mar, or visit a cute little railway museum, department stores and many other entertainments.