Cerro Sombrero, Historical village and cultural landmark in Primavera, Chile
Cerro Sombrero is a village in northern Tierra del Fuego with organized streets and residential buildings located roughly 65 meters above sea level. The community centers around functional structures that show the layout of an early industrial-era planned town.
The village was founded in 1958 as a service center for Chile's National Petroleum Company in this remote region. Its creation marked the start of large-scale industrial development in Tierra del Fuego and brought major change to the sparsely populated area.
The village maintains its original 1960s architecture with buildings designed specifically for the harsh steppe environment. You can see how the layout and construction style reflect the era when the oil industry brought workers to this remote corner of Patagonia.
The location is reached by taking a ferry across the Strait of Magellan at Punta Delgada, followed by a drive through the Patagonian steppe. The best time to visit is summer when roads are easier to travel and the weather is less extreme.
The village features a botanical garden with plants adapted to the harsh climate, a surprising addition to this remote area. Over 150 dwellings and sports facilities show how carefully planned this place was for its residents.
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