Churches of Chiloé – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Located on the greater island of Chiloé, Puqueldón is also known as Lemuy Island. One of the prominent attractions in this area is the route of the Churches of Chile, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where three churches, built by the Jesuits entirely out of wood, have been recognized for their exceptional universal and historical value.
Puqueldón is also home to urban coastal wetlands and the Puqueldón lagoon. The territory is a scenic corridor that joins each end of the island and features attractive natural and cultural landscapes.
The village features 16 tourist lodgings that are family micro-enterprises. These lodgings are a true representation of the rural and local values, from the decoration of interiors with local crafts for example bedspreads, to serving traditional breakfasts using local recipes and ingredients.
Puqueldón offers tourists a range of innovative experiences. With the Native Potato Route, visitors can learn about the cultivation and harvesting of potatoes by peasant women. The village is also widely associated with the Minga tradition which refers to the collaboration of the local inhabitants in performing a range of demanding tasks. This centuries-old community practice is mainly performed when relocating houses. Several villagers and tourists use oxen to transport a house which is mounted onto a flatbed of tree trunks. In Rayen Pülli, visitors can learn artisanal techniques with chilota wool and vegetable fibre. Another unforgettable experience is meeting a seed keeper who shows visitors the native potato seedbed.
HIGHLIGHTS
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The Route of the Native Potato
The “Route of the Native Potato” tour, which has been recognized by the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), is an interactive journey which aims to immerse visitors in a more authentic local tourism experience.
It also offers the opportunity to learn about the traditions of the Chilota culture whilst showcasing practical examples of rural life in Puqueldón.
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The minga Chilote
This is a tradition adopted by peasants where both neighbours and friends worked together on several joint tasks. It originated from the strong sense of community that characterizes the Chiloé villages and the collaboration that existed between neighbours in order to survive.
In fact, this is how the Hueñoco Municipal Park was built and inaugurated in 2016. Today, thanks to the villager’s collaborative work, Hueñoco has 19 gastronomic stoves, 9 terraces for showcasing local crafts, a stage, and a designated parking area.
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Implementing training on accessible tourism
The Municipal Tourist Office of Puqueldón conducted an introductory course for trainers which covered areas such as accessible tourism and how to incorporate it, regulations, and technical skills.
Another essential component of the course was providing guidance on tools for the evaluation and implementation of physical enhancements to the environment and architectural spaces.
