Puerto Montt history

Foundation and First Mentions

The official history of Puerto Montt began on 12 February 1853. The city was founded by the explorer and politician Vicente Pérez Rosales as part of a government programme to develop the southern territories. The site chosen for construction was known to the indigenous inhabitants as Melipulli, which translates as "four hills".

The city received its current name in honour of the President of Chile, Manuel Montt, who played a key role in organising immigration and the development of this region.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several factors:

• Strategic Geography: Its location on the shores of the Reloncaví Sound made the city a natural maritime gateway to Patagonia and a vital transport hub.
• German Colonisation: The government actively attracted settlers from Germany. The first groups of colonists brought with them the knowledge, technology, and work ethic necessary to develop the rugged lands.
• Timber Trade: The surrounding dense forests, rich in valuable tree species (such as alerce), became the foundation for the development of the logging industry.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The cultural character of early Puerto Montt represented a unique blend of local traditions and European influence. The German heritage was clearly manifested in the architecture: the city was built with wooden houses featuring characteristic pitched roofs and balconies, adapted to the region's rainy climate.

The economy of the first decades relied on agriculture, crafts, and maritime trade. The port quickly became a focal point for merchants, connecting the Chiloé Archipelago and the distant southern fjords with the central part of the country.

Key Milestones in the History of Puerto Montt

• 12 February 1853 — Vicente Pérez Rosales officially founded the city on the shores of the Reloncaví Sound to populate the southern territories of Chile.
• 1850–1860s — The active phase of the arrival of German immigrants, who introduced their traditions into the architecture and lifestyle of the city.
• 1912 — Completion of the railway construction, connecting Puerto Montt with the central part of the country and the capital, Santiago.
• 22 May 1960 — The city and its port suffered serious damage as a result of the Great Chilean Earthquake, which required a long period of reconstruction.
• 1963 — Commissioning of El Tepual Airport, which became the main aerial gateway to Chilean Patagonia.
• 1974 — During an administrative reform, Puerto Montt was proclaimed the capital of the newly formed Los Lagos Region.
• 1980s — The beginning of the large-scale development of the salmon farming industry, turning the city into one of the world's aquaculture centres.
• 4 April 1987 — Pope John Paul II visited the city, celebrating a mass for the residents of the region.
• 2002 — The sculpture "Sitting by the Sea" (Sentados frente al mar) was installed on the waterfront, becoming a popular and discussed symbol of the city.
• 2009 — Opening of the renovated "Chinquihue" stadium, which is considered one of the most picturesque in the world due to its waterfront location.
• 2015 — Puerto Montt became one of the host cities for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Key Development Stages and Their Significance

The history of Puerto Montt is a journey from an isolated colony to an industrial and tourist hub of southern Chile. Here are the main milestones that defined the modern appearance of the city:

• Arrival of the Railway (1912)

  The completion of the railway line to Santiago was a turning point. This event ended the city's geographical isolation, turning it into a key trade hub connecting the resource-rich southern regions with the centre of the country.

• Reconstruction after the Great Earthquake (1960s)

  The devastating earthquake of 1960 destroyed the port and a significant part of the historical buildings. The city's recovery led to radical urban planning changes: the waterfront (Costanera) was modernised, streets were widened, and new seismic-resistant construction standards were introduced.

• Obtaining Regional Capital Status (1974)

  Designating Puerto Montt as the administrative centre of the Los Lagos Region strengthened its political importance. This attracted government investment, promoted the development of the service sector, and increased the population due to the influx of civil servants and specialists.

• The "Salmon Boom" (from the 1980s)

  The development of intensive aquaculture turned the city into the world capital of salmon. This economic miracle provided explosive growth in jobs, capital inflow, and the development of port infrastructure, making the city one of the most dynamic in Chile.

• Establishment as the "Gateway to Patagonia"

  The construction and modernisation of El Tepual Airport, as well as the development of the road network (the start of the Carretera Austral), secured the city's status as a main logistics hub. Today, it is the starting point for most tourist routes to Chilean Patagonia and the Chiloé Archipelago.

• Cultural Consolidation around Angelmó Market

  In contrast to industrialisation, the Angelmó district has preserved its authenticity. The development of this market as a tourist attraction allowed for the preservation and popularisation of the traditions of the Chilote people, local crafts, and unique gastronomy, creating an important cultural brand for the city.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

The urban development of Puerto Montt is a story of adapting European traditions to the harsh climate of southern Chile and a gradual transition from wooden architecture to modern industrial development. The city's appearance was shaped by the influence of German colonists, maritime trade, and the need to rebuild after the devastating earthquake of 1960.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

Several key stages can be traced in the city's architecture, each leaving its mark on the urban environment:

• Colonial Style (Mid-19th — Early 20th Century): The era of the city's founding is characterised by the dominance of wood. German settlers brought construction technologies adapted to the rain: houses with steep gable roofs, clad in alerce (Fitzroya) shingles, and featuring mandatory balconies. This style set the tone for the city's early look.
• Neoclassicism in Wood (Late 19th Century): Unlike European stone classicism, in Puerto Montt, this style was embodied in timber. Buildings retained strict proportions and columns, imitating stone, but were built from local forest resources.
• Modernism and Reconstruction (1960–1980s): After the Great Earthquake of 1960, the city began to rebuild. Wood was replaced by concrete and steel. Functional buildings of simple geometric shapes appeared in the centre, designed to be earthquake-resistant and practical.
• Postmodernism and Modernity (from the 1990s): The economic boom associated with the salmon industry led to the construction of high-rise buildings, shopping centres, and hotels with glass facades, which now dominate the coastline.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

Several structures and quarters are key to understanding the architectural identity of Puerto Montt:

• The Cathedral (Catedral de Puerto Montt): The main symbol of the city, built in 1856 from alerce wood. The building combines elements of neoclassicism (four Doric columns of the portico) with a unique copper dome, which is atypical for Chilean churches of that time.
• Diego Rivera House of Art (Casa del Arte Diego Rivera): An example of cultural cooperation and modernist architecture of the mid-20th century. The building combines concrete structures with wooden elements and large glazing, serving as the main cultural centre of the region.
• Angelmó Market (Angelmó): A district that has preserved the spirit of vernacular (folk) architecture. Structures on stilts hanging over the water predominate here, referencing the traditions of the Chiloé Archipelago and creating the colourful atmosphere of a port market.
• Paseo Costanera Shopping Centre: A massive complex that has become a symbol of the modern commercial era. Its high towers are the most visible landmarks in the centre, radically changing the panorama of the waterfront.
• Chinquihue Stadium (Estadio Chinquihue): An example of modern sports architecture. After reconstruction, the stadium received a unique roof, the shape of which resembles waves or sails, harmoniously blending into the landscape of the Tenglo Channel.

Prominent Personalities of Puerto Montt

The history and culture of Puerto Montt are inextricably linked with the names of the statesmen who founded the city and the creators who made its unique atmosphere famous throughout the world. Below are the key figures who left a significant mark on the chronicles of the region.

• Vicente Pérez Rosales
  Politician, traveller, diplomat, and city founder
  He is the founding father of Puerto Montt. As a colonisation agent, he personally selected the site for the settlement on the shores of the Reloncaví Sound and officially founded the city on 12 February 1853. His efforts to attract German immigrants defined the cultural and economic development vector of the entire south of Chile.
• Manuel Montt
  President of Chile (1851–1861)
  Although he did not live in the city, his name is immortalised in its title — "Port Montt". It was his administration that initiated and supported the state programme for the development of the southern territories, thanks to which the city appeared on the map and received resources for its establishment.
• Raúl Ruiz
  Film director, screenwriter, and writer
  A native of Puerto Montt (born in 1941) who became a figure of global scale in cinema. He is considered the most famous Chilean director, whose avant-garde works received recognition at festivals in Cannes and Berlin. His work brought international acclaim to Chile in the cultural arena.
• Hardy Wistoba
  Impressionist painter
  One of the most famous painters of the region, who dedicated his art to depicting the landscapes of Puerto Montt. His works, capturing the fog, rainy streets, and the colour of the port, became an artistic chronicle of the city and helped form a recognisable visual image of southern Chile.
• Jaime Barría
  Composer and musician
  Founder of the legendary musical group Bordemar, based in Puerto Montt. He created a unique style that combined the folklore of the Chiloé Archipelago with chamber music. His compositions became the unofficial anthem of the region and contributed to the preservation of local cultural heritage.
• Manoly Estefó
  Artist
  An iconic figure for the Angelmó district. Known as the "painter of Angelmó", he not only painted views of fishing boats and stilt houses but also actively promoted this area as a centre of art and tourism, inspiring a whole generation of local craftsmen.