Wulff Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wulff Castle |
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Castillo Wulff
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Northern view
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| General information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Address | 37 Marina Avenue |
| Town or city | Viña del Mar |
| Country | Chile |
| Completed | 1906 |
| Client | Gustavo Adolfo Wulff Mowle |
The Wulff Castle is a beautiful historic building right by the sea in Viña del Mar, Chile. It was first built in 1906 for the Wulff family. Today, it serves as the main office for the city's heritage center, helping to protect and share the history of Viña del Mar.
Contents
History of Wulff Castle
How the Castle Began
The story of Wulff Castle starts with Gustavo Adolfo Wulff Mowle. He was a German businessman who traded in things like saltpeter (a type of salt) and coal. He also owned ships for transporting goods. Gustavo moved to Chile in 1881. In 1904, he bought a large piece of land, about 1,260 square meters, right in front of Castle Hill in Viña del Mar. He then built his new house there in 1906.
Turning a House into a Castle
Gustavo Wulff wanted his home to look even grander. So, in 1917, he hired a famous architect named Alberto Cruz Montt. The architect helped turn the house into a real castle! A new tower was added, built on some rocks on the northern side of the building. A small bridge was also built to connect this new tower to the rest of the castle. This made it look much more like a traditional castle.
Changes Over the Years
After Gustavo Wulff, the property was inherited by Mrs. Esperanza Artaza Matta in 1946. She also decided to make some changes. She asked another architect, José Alcalde, to remodel the castle. During this renovation, the southern tower of the castle was removed.
A Public Landmark
In 1959, the City of Viña del Mar bought the castle. This meant it became a public building for everyone to enjoy. From 1960 to 1988, the castle was home to the Museo Naval de la Armada de Chile, which is the Chilean Navy Forces Museum. Later, between 1990 and 1999, it held the collection of books and items belonging to the famous writer Salvador Reyes Figueroa. Because of its unique history and architecture, Wulff Castle was officially declared a National Historical Monument by Chilean law in 1995.
See also
If you want to learn more, check out the article in Spanish: Castillo Wulff para niños
