Puerto del Hambre, Archaeological site at Strait of Magellan, Chile
Puerto del Hambre is an archaeological site on the northern shore of the Strait of Magellan containing ruins from a Spanish settlement of the 16th century. The remains lie near present-day Punta Arenas and reveal the layout and structures of this early colonial attempt.
Spanish navigator Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa founded the Rey Don Felipe settlement in 1584 with around 300 colonists to control this strategic passage. The settlement was abandoned after 1587 when the colonists could not survive the harsh environment and isolation.
The site reflects early Spanish efforts to establish a lasting presence in the strait after explorers like Francis Drake proved its navigability. For local people, it represents an important chapter in European expansion across the southern seas.
The archaeological site lies south of Punta Arenas along the coast and can be reached by road traveling along the strait. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and wear sturdy footwear to explore the open landscape of this southern region.
The name came from British explorer Thomas Cavendish, who discovered the abandoned settlement in 1587 and named it after the dead inhabitants he found there. This naming has persisted for more than four centuries, keeping the story of colonial failure alive.
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