From Puerto Montt, I hopped on a bus bound for the enchanting Chiloé Island, opting for the service shown in Figure 17. The scenic journey took nearly four hours, with a fare of 8,000 pesos, and I disembarked in Castro, the island’s largest and most vibrant city.
Chiloé Island, the largest in Chile, is nestled in the southern Pacific Ocean and boasts a unique cultural tapestry. Among its many treasures are 16 UNESCO-certified wooden churches, with the Church of San Francisco standing out for its striking double domes and vibrant, colorful tiles. These 16 wooden churches are remarkable examples of Latin American religious architecture, first constructed in 1608 by Jesuit missionaries and later continued by Franciscans.
They seamlessly blend European Gothic styles with local indigenous influences, creating a distinctive “hybrid” architectural tradition that is both captivating and historically significant.
In Castro, the stilt houses, or palafitos, offer a mesmerizing sight. As the tide recedes, the foundations of these homes become visible, and when the water rises, they seem to float gracefully above the surface, reminiscent of the stilt houses found in Western Hunan. Another local delight is the variety of Chiloé potatoes, which come in an array of types and colors.
Their natural sweetness and lack of astringency make them a culinary treat, whether enjoyed on their own or as part of a more elaborate dish.
The “fish scale construction” technique, a hallmark of Chiloé Island, is primarily used for the roofs and exterior cladding of traditional wooden houses. This ingenious design not only withstands the island’s rainy climate but also embodies the rich fusion of cultures and aesthetic traditions, gradually becoming a cherished symbol of Chiloé’s unique identity.
