Top Things to do in Punta Arenas
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Top 6 Specialty Museums in Punta Arenas, Magallanes Region
Overlooking the Strait of Magellan, this isolated city in southern Patagonia bustles with windswept trekkers en route to glacier-filled Torres del Paine National Park or an Antarctic cruise. Before transiting, take note of the mansion-lined main square, Plaza Muñoz Gamero; the City Cemetery, with its elaborate tombs; and the Sara Braun Palace and Braun Menendez Residence, a preserved slice of the city's wealthy pioneer past. Daily flights connect the city with Santiago and Ushuaia.
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1. Centro Cultural Braun-Menendez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By KatrienS955 - Ghent, Belgium
This is a great little museum showcasing on one side the house itself, and on the other side the original inhabitants and the history of the town and the Noruega, Braun and Menendez start and production and sheep empire. The house was build by this clan, which through intermarriage combined the 3 wealthiest families of the region. The house was build with materials from Europe, and must have as such cost a fortune. The house is not that large. It is in pretty good state of repair, has nice stained glass ceilings and some extravagantly decorated rooms. Also part of the cellar, or servants quarter are open. The other part gives a good overview of the founding of Punta Arenas and it being a prisoners colony. It also gives a good overview on a touch screen about the 5 tribes that originally inhabited this area as well as Tuera de Fuego nearby. On display are some of the artefacts that remain from these tribes that were completely wiped out on the Chilean side (and very nearly completely on the Argentinian side). In the current there is a nice garden, they were renovating part of the outside of the mansion.
2. Nao Victoria Museo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,040 reviews
The Nao Victoria Museum is a private museum. fee cost $ 4000 It aims to provide a real experience in replicas of the most important ships in the Magallanes Region. There are four open replicas to visit in the Museum: Nao Victoria, the only fleet commanded by Ferdinand Magellan completed the first circumnavigation of the globe. James Caird, originally a lifeboat Endurance that sailed from Elephant Island to South Georgia during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton 1916. Goleta Ancud, the ship, under the command of Manuel Bulnes, President of Chile, took the sovereignty of the Magellan Strait to Chile with the construction of Fuerte Bulnes. HMS Beagle, the famous British Navy brig, under the command of Captain Fitz Roy raised cartography work of Magallanes Region. Aboard the boat mythical young Charles Darwin began writing his theory of evolution. surround sound, and many replicas of ancient weapons that can be used by visitors to take pictures
Reviewed By RMJ42 - Santa Rosa, United States
We were on a tour in the rain and did not have enough time to visit this very interesting site. They have a Magellan vessel, a Darwin vessel and Shackleton vessel, all full size with interesting descriptions in Spanish and English. You could spend a lot of time just exploring the ships and getting a history lesson as you read.
3. Museo Salesiano / Magiorinno Borgatello
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 413 reviews
Reviewed By jenabaintheworld - Washington DC, United States
Good collection of historical artifacts from Patagonia, from early human history to fauna to culture to economic development. This was created by the Salesian mission-- linked to the Catholic church. The museum is now called Museo Maggiorino Borgatello. Well worth a short visit.
4. Museo Del Recuerdo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By lobstaluva - Springfield, United States
As the name “Museo del Recuerdo” states, this is a museum for remembering. A hundred years ago there were many farming communities in Patagonia that raised sheep. This interesting museum brings one back in time to show typical living conditions. The outdoor portion displays lots of farm equipment from wagons, a windmill, carriages, hoe, steam engine, tractor, and much more. There is a lot of walking over a field as the numerous items are spread out. Around the edge of the field are restored homes, buildings, shops and garage with interesting contents. The “Pabellon Joseph Baeriswyl” building has an amazing collection of watches and clocks amongst other collectibles. Joseph came to Patagonia between 1874-1877, started a slaughterhouse and billiard saloon. There are early cinema projectors, typewriters, printers, adding machines, tailor shop with a collection of irons and sewing machines, an apothecary shop loaded with stuff, a carpentry shop, and garages with beautiful old automobiles and some license plates from the 1920s and 1930s. “Casa Tipica” was built between 1875-80 and is a typical home of that period. The metal frame bed was interesting as was the bedding. There is so much more to see. There was a large locked building that might have had a gift shop and bathrooms, but I don’t know for sure. Nothing was available to us when we were there. If you are a history buff, or interested in farming, you will not want to miss this museum.
5. Palacio Sara Braun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 488 reviews
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
Palacio Sara Braun is a museum dedicated to Latvian born former Chilean business woman near the main square of Punta Arenas. It is impressive and stands out amongst other buildings. Could view it from the outside only. Will certainly consider visiting inside during my next visit to Punta Arenas.
6. Museo del Estrecho
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
Museo del Estrecho (Strait Museum) in Parque del Estrecho de Magallanes (Strait of Magellan Park) offers eye-catching modern exhibits on this historic area as well as good views from its terrace of the Strait of Magellan and Puerto del Hambre (Port Famine).
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
My family of 4 took an English guided tour of this museum which is at a short driving distance from Fort Bulnes. The guided tour gave a better perception of the history of the region. The museum has several interesting exhibits of ship models amongst other unique collectibles. One can also get some spectacular views of the surroundings from some of it’s outdoor galleries. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting this museum to any traveler in Punta Arenas.
