Tours and Activities:

Colonial Architecture

The urban circuit features countless buildings that still stand and were raised upon the arrival of the German immigrants in the area. It is through them that their culture may be interpreted.

Several buildings that represent the architectural heritage of the city lie within a very close radio from the main square. They give evidence of the lifestyle of the first German and Chilean colonists who arrived on the shores of Lake Llanquihue in the mid nineteenth century.

Back in those days, Puerto Varas was not even a village, as its denizens were scattered and with no possibilities of communication. Nevertheless, as a result of their hard work and effort, these settlements slowly developed and grew in spite of the scarce means.

Houses were entirely built with Patagonian cypress wood, as access to the unspoilt forests was easy in the early twentieth century. Today, that species is protected by law. The colonists used tools they had brought from Europe.

The Lutheran Church boasts its attributes on Vicente Pérez Rosales Waterfront. Built in 1923, it has a gable roof and a central tower that ends up in an octagonal tambour and eight-side spire. This is a place of worship for a large community even today.

The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an architectural icon in the city ever since 1918, is located at a high spot. It features a Romantic style with vertical lines that follow the Gothic physiognomy. Its inner covering and structure are made of wood, whereas the outside covering is made of undulated tin plates.

Kuschel House -built in 1915- lies on the way uphill towards Mount Phillipi. It has two stories and a basement. Its structure is based on an oak framework with walls made with horizontal boards and stone baseboards. It presents several roofs and a very original metallic dome. It gives evidence of the wealth of those days.

Yunge House, lying on San Ignacio Street, dates from 1932. It has two stories and a central viewpoint over the access door, as well as a balcony overlooking the city. The ornaments on the eaves feature Neo-Gothic reminiscences. This culture has accompanied the settlement of various villages on the shores of Lake Llanquihue.

Another typical house from the early twentieth century is Gotschlich. Its walls are covered with Patagonian cypress tiles, a noble material used to finish most buildings raised in that period.

We continued our tour and found another building at Arturo Prat Station, on the corner of Nuestra Señora del Carmen Street and Miraflores Street. Many people consider that this is one of the most characteristic pieces of German architecture. In fact, every street in the city treasures samples of what used to be built in the early days of this town.

All these buildings boast praiseworthy architecture, with pure lines and rich materials that have proved that their good original construction lets them remain standing and dwelled till this day.

The track left by the German colonization on its splendid architecture is but one of the reasons for this delightful tourist destination in southern Chile to be chosen as one of the most visited today.

See also: Hotels in Puerto Varas and other accommodation venues