Fuerte Bulnes facts for kids
Fuerte Bulnes is an old fort in Chile. It is located near the Strait of Magellan, about 62 kilometers (38 miles) south of Punta Arenas. This fort was built in 1843 on a rocky hill called Punta Santa Ana. It was named after Chile's president at the time, Manuel Bulnes Prieto.
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Why Fuerte Bulnes Was Built
The fort was created to help Chile claim and settle its southern lands. It also aimed to protect the important Strait of Magellan. This strait is a natural waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. President Bulnes wanted to make sure other countries knew this land belonged to Chile.
The Journey of the Schooner Ancud
To start the fort, the governor of Chiloé, Domingo Espiñeira Riesco, ordered a special ship to be built. This ship was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel. It was first named after the president. However, President Bulnes decided to rename it Ancud. This name came from the city where the ship was built.
The Ancud set sail on May 22, 1843. It was led by John Williams Wilson, an officer in the Chilean Navy. The ship arrived at Punta Santa Ana on September 21, 1843. This spot was about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from another place called Puerto del Hambre. Once they arrived, Williams directed the building of the fort. It was mainly made from logs, dirt, and grass 'bricks'.
Life at the Fort
President Bulnes hoped that many people would move to the area and create a town. However, the weather was very harsh. It was difficult for people to live there for long. Because of this, the population did not grow much.
Moving to Punta Arenas
After six years, the local governor decided to find a better place for a town. In 1848, he founded Punta Arenas in a sandy area nearby. Once people moved to Punta Arenas, the military left Fuerte Bulnes. The fort was then destroyed by burning. Lieutenant Cambiazo was in charge of this.
Rebuilding Fuerte Bulnes
Many years later, between 1941 and 1943, the Chilean government decided to rebuild the fort. They wanted to create a copy of the original fort as a historic monument.
What You Can See Today
The rebuilt fort includes several buildings. You can see a church, the chaplain's living area, a jail, and a place to store gunpowder. There is also a post office and stables for horses. In 1968, Fuerte Bulnes was officially declared a national monument. Today, a private company manages the fort. It is a popular place for visitors to learn about Chile's history.
See also
- Fuerte Bulnes para niños (in Spanish)
