Cannons
Facing the bay.
Rjcastillo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rjcastillo — CC BY 4.0 · Rjcastillo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rjcastillo — CC BY 4.0
An eighteenth-century Spanish fort on a green hill above Ancud bay in northern Chiloé, built in 1770 to guard the island and the sea route, and Spain's last stronghold in Chile, as its garrison held out after the country's independence until it surrendered in 1826. Low stone walls ring the fort, old iron cannons on wooden carriages stand on the platforms facing the bay and ocean, a stone gateway leads visitors onto a broad grassy parade ground, and an old blocked tunnel opens in the wall. The ramparts give a lovely view over the town, the boats and the open sea, especially at sunset. Ancud's regional museum shows Chiloé's history and culture, with models of its famous wooden churches. The fort is close to central Ancud, within walking distance, and is usually combined with the penguin trip to the nearby Puñihuil islets. Southern Chile is often rainy, even in summer, so bring a rain jacket.
Facing the bay.
And walls.
Over the ocean.
Hill above Ancud bay, northern Chiloé
It was Spain's last stronghold in Chile, its garrison holding out after independence until surrendering in 1826.