Tours and Activities:

Colonial Architecture

Through a heritage city tour, you can admire and relive the history and charm of German immigration.

Within a short distance from the main square of Puerto Varas stand several buildings that make up the city´s architectural heritage. They reflect the lifestyle of the first German and Chilean settlers who, in the mid-19th century, established themselves along the shores of Lake Llanquihue as part of the colonization program promoted by the Chilean government.

In those early years, it was not even considered a village, as the inhabitants were scattered and had little means of communication. However, thanks to their perseverance and hard work, those settlements gradually grew and developed with the few resources available to them.

The houses were built entirely of alerce wood, easily obtained from the virgin forests of the early 20th century. Today, this species is protected and its logging is strictly regulated, making these buildings valuable witnesses of local history. The settlers brought with them tools and carpentry techniques from Europe.

Along Vicente Pérez Rosales Avenue stands the Lutheran Church, built in 1923 and declared a National Historic Monument. Its gabled roof and central tower, topped by an octagonal drum and an eight-sided spire, stand out among the lake views and still serve as a place of worship for a large community.

On a hill in the city center rises the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an architectural icon of Puerto Varas since 1918. Its style belongs to the Romantic period, with vertical lines that evoke a Gothic character. The interior structure and roof are made of wood, while the exterior is clad with corrugated metal sheets.

Climbing the slope toward Cerro Phillipi stands the majestic Kuschel House, built in 1915. It has two floors and a basement, with a framework of oak and horizontal wooden planks over stone foundations. Its combination of multi-pitched roofs and a distinctive metal dome reflects the economic prosperity of the era.

The Yunge House, located on San Ignacio Street, dates from 1932. It has two floors and is characterized by a central lookout above the entrance door and a balcony overlooking the city. The decorative eaves feature neo-Gothic details, typical of the European influences that accompanied settlement along the shores of Lake Llanquihue.

Another representative early 20th-century home is the Gotschlich House, with walls and roofs covered in alerce shingles, a noble material characteristic of much of the construction of that period.

Continuing along the route, other traditional buildings can be seen on Nuestra Señora del Carmen and Miraflores streets, near the Arturo Prat station. Many of them retain the distinctive features of German architecture, although every street in the city holds unique examples of the early building style.

All of these structures display admirable architecture, clean lines, and quality materials that have stood the test of time, allowing them to remain inhabited to this day. Many have been restored and are now part of the current German Heritage Circuit, which promotes the preservation of Puerto Varas´ architectural identity.

The architecture of  Puerto Varas not only preserves the memory of the first settlers but also represents a living heritage that continues to give the city its identity and character. Each house, church, and historic building reflects the fusion of German heritage and Chilean tradition, a combination that has shaped its unique beauty and charm. This carefully preserved legacy invites visitors to walk its streets as if traveling back in time, discovering in every corner an essential part of its history.

See also: Hotels in Puerto Varas and other accommodation venues