Castro history

Foundation and First Mentions

The city of Castro was officially founded on 12 February 1567 by the Spanish conquistador and marshal Martín Ruiz de Gamboa. The settlement was originally named Santiago de Castro in honour of the then Viceroy of Peru, Lope García de Castro.

This historical event makes Castro the third oldest continuously existing city in the territory of modern Chile (after Santiago and La Serena). From the moment of its foundation, it became the main stronghold of Spanish colonisation on the Chiloé Archipelago.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small settlement into an important urban centre was driven by a number of strategic reasons:

• Geographic Protection: The city was established on the shores of a narrow fjord on the eastern coast of Isla Grande. This location provided natural protection from Pacific storms and created a convenient harbour for ships.
• Political Role: Castro was initially conceived as an administrative centre from which the entire archipelago was managed and the indigenous population (the Huilliche people) was controlled.
• Resource Base: The surrounding forests provided abundant material for shipbuilding and repairs, which was critical for the maritime logistics of that era.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first centuries of its existence, Castro's economy was based on agriculture (growing potatoes and grains) and timber harvesting. A crucial cultural factor was the arrival of the Jesuits in the 17th century, who made the city the centre of their missionary activity. It was here that the unique traditions of wooden architecture and a syncretic culture, combining Spanish and local customs, began to form.

The city's early history was also marked by a struggle for survival: distance from the metropolis and repeated attacks by Dutch corsairs (specifically the expeditions of Baltazar de Cordes and Hendrick Brouwer) in the 17th century caused serious damage, forcing residents to constantly rebuild the city.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1567 — Martín Ruiz de Gamboa founds the city of Santiago de Castro, making it the centre of Spanish administration on the island.
• 1600 — The city is captured and temporarily held by the Dutch corsair Baltazar de Cordes during the struggle between European powers for the Pacific.
• 1768 — Governor Carlos de Beranger moves the capital of the archipelago to the city of Ancud, which reduces Castro's political influence for a long time.
• 1826 — Following the signing of the Treaty of Tantauco, the Chiloé Archipelago and the city of Castro officially join the territory of the independent Republic of Chile.
• 1912 — A narrow-gauge railway connecting Castro with Ancud is inaugurated, significantly revitalising trade.
• 1912 — Construction begins on the famous San Francisco Church, designed by the Italian architect Eduardo Provasoli.
• 1936 — A devastating fire destroys much of the historic city centre, requiring a massive reconstruction of residential districts.
• 1960 — The Great Chilean Earthquake and subsequent tsunami cause serious damage to the waterfront and permanently destroy the railway infrastructure.
• 1979 — The Great Chiloé Folklore Festival is held for the first time in the Municipal Park, becoming the main venue for preserving local traditions.
• 1982 — Castro officially regains its status as the administrative capital of the Chiloé Province.
• 2000 — The Church of San Francisco de Castro is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the "Churches of Chiloé" site.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Castro is a series of falls and revivals. The city has repeatedly changed its appearance under the influence of natural elements and economic shifts, transforming from an isolated outpost into a modern tourist and administrative centre of the archipelago.

• Formation of a Unique Architectural School (17th–18th Centuries)
  The arrival of Jesuit missionaries launched a process of cultural synthesis. European construction technologies mixed with the craftsmanship of local carpenters, leading to the birth of the famous "Chiloé School". This defined the visual appearance of the city, where wood became the primary material for everything: from temples to residential houses and roof shingles.
• The Railway Era (1912–1960)
  The launch of the Castro-Ancud narrow-gauge line became a powerful economic driver. The train allowed for the rapid transport of agricultural produce and timber to ports, connecting the city with the northern part of the island. This was a time of flourishing trade and population growth.
• Urban Redevelopment after the 1936 Fire
  Fire destroyed the historic centre but provided an impetus for modernising the urban layout. Reconstruction was carried out taking new safety requirements into account; streets became wider, and new public buildings appeared, forming the modern city centre.
• Transformation of the Coastline (Post-1960)
  The Great Earthquake forever changed the geography and economy of the city. The railway was destroyed (and it was decided not to restore it), and the city reoriented towards road and sea transport. Part of the famous stilt houses (palafitos) were lost, but the remaining neighbourhoods became a carefully protected symbol of the city's identity.
• Return of Administrative Weight (1982)
  The official return of the status of capital of the Chiloé Province brought government institutions, banks, and service agencies back to Castro. This secured the city's role as the main business hub of the archipelago, where residents of neighbouring islands come for services and shopping.
• UNESCO Recognition and Tourism Boom (2000)
  The inclusion of the San Francisco Church in the World Heritage List was a turning point for the economy. Castro ceased to be merely a transit point and turned into an independent tourist destination, which stimulated the opening of hotels, restaurants, and museums.
• 21st Century Infrastructural Breakthrough
  The opening of Mocopulli Airport (20 km from the city) and the construction of large shopping centres have finally integrated Castro into the modern economy of Chile, simplifying logistics for business and tourists.

Architectural Appearance: The Culture of Wood

The architecture of Castro is unique and unlike the classic stone cities of South America. The main building material here is wood, due to the region's rich forest resources. The urban development of the city was dictated by the complex terrain: streets descend from the hills directly to the water, forming a picturesque amphitheatre around the fjord.

The city's appearance intertwines the traditions of the indigenous population, the influence of European missionaries, and adaptation to the harsh climate of the archipelago.

Eras and Architectural Styles

The development of the city can be divided into several key stylistic stages, each of which has left its mark on the urban environment:

• Traditional Vernacular Architecture (19th Century — Present)
  The most recognisable element of Castro is the palafitos. These are houses on stilts standing directly over the water. This style arose from the need to maximise the use of the coastline and rely on the tides for trade and fishing. Palafitos do not have a strict architectural order but are a vivid example of folk engineering and aesthetics.
• Wooden Neo-Gothic and Eclecticism (Early 20th Century)
  The heyday of the "Chiloé School" in religious construction. European styles were reinterpreted by local master carpenters. The brightest example is the San Francisco Church (Iglesia de San Francisco). Externally it is clad in galvanised iron, while the interior is made entirely of local wood species (cypress, larch). Its pointed arches and spires are a tribute to Neo-Gothicism, embodied in wood.
• Modernism and Reconstruction (Post-1936)
  After the great fire of 1936, the city centre was rebuilt. Concrete buildings appeared in the style of restrained modernism characteristic of the mid-20th century. This created a contrast between the "stone" administrative centre and the "wooden" residential areas on the periphery.

Iconic Districts and Landmarks

To understand the architectural fabric of the city, it is worth paying attention to the following locations:

• Gamboa and Pedro Montt Districts (Barrios Gamboa y Pedro Montt): It is here that the best examples of palafitos have been preserved. Multicoloured facades on high stilts have become the calling card not only of the city but of the entire island.
• Plaza de Armas: The heart of the city, dominated by the monumental San Francisco Church, listed by UNESCO. This building visually organises the entire space of the central square.
• Blanco Encalada Street: Here you can find historic residential houses from the early 20th century, demonstrating the mastery of working with wooden shingles (tejuelas), which were used to clad facades for protection against rain.

Prominent Personalities of Castro

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the people who shaped its appearance, culture, and self-awareness over the centuries. Below are key figures who left a noticeable mark on the chronicles of Castro.

• Martín Ruiz de Gamboa (1533–1590)
  Spanish Conquistador and Governor
  The founder of the city. In February 1567, he established the settlement of Santiago de Castro, choosing a strategically important location on the fjord shore to control the archipelago. His decision determined the city's fate as the administrative centre of Chiloé for centuries to come.
• Eduardo Provasoli (1847–1926)
  Italian Architect and Priest
  The author of the project for the famous San Francisco de Castro Church. Although Provasoli did not live in the city permanently, his engineering genius gave Castro its main symbol. He designed a temple in the Neo-Gothic style, which local craftsmen brilliantly embodied in wood, creating a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece.
• Gilberto Provoste (1909–1995)
  Photographer and Visual Chronicler
  Arriving in Castro in his youth, he opened a studio here and documented the life of the city for decades. His photographs are an invaluable historical archive, preserving the appearance of "old Castro" before the devastating fire of 1936 and the Great Earthquake of 1960.
• Rodolfo Urbina Burgos (1940–2024)
  Historian and Academic
  A native of Castro who dedicated his life to studying the history of his homeland. His scholarly works on the colonial period and the social life of Chiloé are considered fundamental. He played a key role in shaping regional identity and preserving the historical memory of the archipelago.
• Carlos Trujillo (born 1950)
  Poet and Professor of Literature
  Founder of the "Aumen" literary workshop in Castro. During the difficult years of the dictatorship, he turned the city into a centre of cultural resistance and literary creativity in southern Chile, raising a whole generation of local writers and poets.
• Sonia Caicheo (born 1943)
  Writer and Educator
  One of the most respected contemporary poets of Chiloé, living and working in Castro. Her work is deeply rooted in local mythology and traditions, and her activities as an educator contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage among the youth.