Attractions and Places To See in Punta Arenas - Top 14

Very windy

This square has a lively atmosphere that attracts both tourists and locals. The focal point is the imposing Magellan Monument, built in honor of the famous navigator. It impressively depicts Magellan himself surrounded by native statues. Local legend says that touching the feet of the native statue brings good luck - a custom that many travelers like to take up, and you can also see how worn the feet have become. The plaza is also a good starting point for exploring other sights in the city, as it is surrounded by historic buildings. The small market stalls on the edge of the square, which offer local souvenirs and handicrafts, are particularly charming. If you have some time, it is worth just hanging around, people watching and soaking up the atmosphere.

The work Circunnavegación, by the well-known national artist Francisco Gazitúa, is a metal armillary sphere that symbolizes the circumference of the Earth. Inside it is a representation of the ship commanded by Magellan. It also contains a tribute to the indigenous people of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and to the mythology of the Selknam people. The President of the Republic, Sebastián Piñera, inaugurated in 2020 on the 500th anniversary of the first passage through the Strait of Magellan. Circunnavegación is a 25-ton metal sculpture by the well-known artist Francisco Gazitúa that highlights the importance of the historic journey. The work is inspired by an armillary sphere or spherical astrolabe, an astronomical instrument used until the end of the Middle Ages that serves as a metaphor for the globe. Inside there is a representation of the Nao Victoria, the ship commanded by Ferdinand Magellan, sailing westwards with its main mast in the position of the Earth's axis, inclined at 23 degrees. In addition, the spheres of the Gazitúa sculpture are a tribute to the indigenous people who populated Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego more than 10,000 years ago. The luminous bodies of the work correspond to the outlines of the constellation Orion, which was part of the mythology of the Selknam people. The President was part of the jury that selected the work on the premise that it should not only have artistic value, but also be attractive to the inhabitants and visitors of Punta Arenas. "The great achievements and the great epics in the history of humanity are not accidental, behind them there is always a vision, a will, courage, determination and resilience," said the Head of State.

Sara Braun was a woman of Russian origin who emigrated to Chile with her parents. Although originally completely penniless, she became the most important entrepreneur in the region. She was heavily involved in the genocide of the Selk'nam, part of the indigenous Tierra del Fuegos. It is all the more incomprehensible that the residents of Punta Arenas adore her. Probably because at the end of her life she donated charitable measures and financial aid to the city. Among other things, for the construction of a Magellan monument and to promote the local school system. She also donated the bombastic Art Nouveau entrance gate to the cemetery administration. Therefore,  she was allowed to have the mausoleum built in the Russian-Byzantine style in the cemetery of Punta Arenas. The family grave includes its own small park surrounded by walls and bars and is considered the most expensive grave in the cemetery.

The ship Lonsdale was an English ship built at the end of the 19th century at the Bigger shipyard in Londonderry, Ireland, for the firm of J. H. Iredale. With 1,889 tons, it caught fire on a voyage from Hamburg to Mazatlán, in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, on October 6, 1909, having to be sunk to put out the fire. It was acquired by a merchant in Punta Arenas, who in turn sold it to the firm Braun & Blanchard of the same port, to be used as a wool pontoon, until it was sold for scrapping. The bow with the bowsprit and a section of the keel are its only remains, which lie in Punta Arenas, on the coast of the Strait of Magellan, on 21 de Mayo Street in front of María Behety Park. It was declared a Historical Monument on January 7, 1974 under the emblem "Tribute to the sailors of all nationalities who sailed the Magellanic Sea." During 2014, the remains of the ship were intervened, within the framework of the II International Meeting of Media Arts, Lumen. The Lonsdale Project, by artist Julio Escobar, set out to bring the ship to life through the installation of a high-pressure sodium luminaire, inside the bow and in the remaining section of the keel of the boat.

The monument dedicated to the sheep workers of Patagonia is very beautiful to look at. It's worth a quick stop to take a close look at the realistically crafted figures.

The monument, inaugurated on February 18, 1944, is dedicated to the sheep workers of Patagonia and consists of twelve figures: the shepherd, his horse, two sheep dogs and eight sheep. It symbolizes the economic boom in the region at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. It was initially made of granite and was replaced eighteen years later by figures made of bronze. The bronze sculptures were created by local sculptor Germán Montero. Fragments of the poem “El ovejero de mi tierra” by the Magellan poet José Grimaldi Acotto served as the basis for the work.

A very nice "easy" hike. Keep in mind that you are walking on a pebble beach, which sometimes makes progress a little difficult. Sometimes you have to dodge the waves when the water is high. However, we were able to walk without any problems, even if we got a little wet feet. Pay attention to the sea: you like to see dolphins, sea lions, penguins or even whales.