Punta Arenas is a city-port built by hand, with the wind in favor or against, its history is marked by the people kawesqar, first inhabitants of this territory; its geography and European migration.
The historic center of Punta Arenas offers its visitors interesting places, which offer details that allow the visitor to get closer to the Patagonian culture and history. Below, we share our selection of 4 places to visit in the center of the southernmost city on the planet.
Discover the historic center of Punta Arenas
Every corner of Punta Arenas tells us about the ancient history of this territory, located between canals, fjords, almost hanging from a thread that unites it to the mainland.
The urban center is no exception. As you walk through it, you will find multiple signs of this history, preserved with care and pride by its inhabitants. Accessing downtown Punta Arenas is easy, both on foot and by car.
Next, we recommend 4 places that you cannot miss.
Muñoz Gamero Square or Plaza de Armas
It is the precise place to start our tour. Declared a Typical Zone in 1991, by the National Monuments Council, it owes its name to Governor Benjamín Muñoz Gamero, assassinated during a riot that left the town of Punta Arenas on fire.
The Muñoz Gamero square has a bronze sculpture in its center that dates from 1920 and represents the navigator Hernando de Magallanes, who gave warning of the existence of the strait that bears his name. Different paved paths allow you to walk the square from end to end, under cypresses, birches and other species of trees.
This place has a popular tradition. It consists of kissing the foot of the Patagonian sitting on the sculpture of Magellan. Tradition says that whoever kisses that foot returns to Punta Arenas and benefits from much prosperity. Do you dare to check it out?
The bar
With more than 60 years, La Taberna is a traditional bar in downtown Puntarenas. Built in the basement or foundations of the Palacio Sara Braun, current Club de la Unión, it is entered through one side of the mansion.
Its architecture represents the interior design of a boat, with various rooms, low ceilings, stone walls and native wood. In each room you will find unique objects, full of stories, so in addition to being a bar, this place looks like a true underground museum.
Municipal cemetery
It is said to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. The municipal cemetery of Punta Arenas accounts for another aspect of Patagonian history: the arrival of immigrants or pioneers from all over the world, who came seeking to develop different types of businesses, such as cattle ranching.
The design of this park is crossed by being a place of rest for the wealthiest of the city. In fact, the main entrance is a donation made by Sara Braun, a well-known businesswoman and landowner who, when she was widowed, dedicated herself to managing the great fortune created by her husband in Tierra del Fuego.
Another characteristic aspect of this place, in addition to its marvelous mausoleums and tombs, are its paths of cypress trees, carefully pruned to maintain their rounded shape.
Other popular knowledge: In the cemetery there is an animita-type sculpture that they call the “unknown Indian”, because an Indian would have been found dead in that place. From that fact, people touch his hand and entrust themselves to him to request favors, which they thank with small plaques located around the image.
Municipal market
Another aspect that speaks of the Patagonian culture is its crafts, which can be found in the city's municipal market. One of the handicrafts that you will find there is basketry in jonquil, a natural fiber that is extracted from the area. This type of basketry has its origin in the town kawesqar, who used this type of objects to shellfish, carry and store food, being one of their fundamental belongings. You will also find typical and traditional crafts in wool, leather and wood, which has been passed down as knowledge from generation to generation.
Punta Arenas has many urban and natural places to visit, so traveling by car is the best option to discover them comfortably. At MITTA we have an excellent Rent a car service available in Punta Arenas, with the best range of vehicles. Contact us!
