Puerto Hambre: Here was Spain

For: Gerardo Bartolomé (text and photos)
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It seems incredible that more than 400 years (426, to be exact), in the South American continent boundary has installed a Spanish colony. Weeks or months of perilous navigation separating it from any other population from which supplies could. And thought no wonder that the place has become Puerto Hambre, neither more nor less than because the settlers died from hunger that ....

Very little of this colony, the ruins of a chapel, the ground with unnatural undulations may work product of archaeologists and a simple memorial with the inscription "Here was Spain" recently restored. I remember well the first time I visited the place, guided a group of enthusiastic tourists, following the steps Charles Darwin whose boat, the mythical Beagle, anchored there 1834 to visit the grave of an English captain who killed himself a prisoner of a deep depression.
We start from the Patagonian Chilean city Punta Arenas, which still seems far removed from any, and for two hours bordering the majestic Straits of Magellan. American Gold and this step were almost forced oceanic key settlement. Spain sailed not there, preferred stock of Peruvian gold mule by crossing the isthmus of Central America. But those who did used the Strait pirates were Englishmen who crossed the Pacific there to attack and plunder the rich Spanish colonies. The aim of the foundation of this colony was guard and prevent the passage of the English through the Strait of Magellan. And so did Royal Order, but…
Thomas Cavendish, one of those Englishmen who had to defend, sailed to the colony without meeting any resistance. He landed and found that ... the people were all dead! Do not hesitate to baptize the place as Puerto Hambre and even today is known by that name.

Before leaving the horizon the clouds parted and we saw in the distance to Monte Sarmiento that, himself as the orders of Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, continues to guard the Strait of Magellan.

Along with my fellow travelers we feel overwhelmed by the wind, wilderness and the memory of that tragic history. We brought a bottle and glasses, to remember these courageous settlers who never had a chance to survive, and remember the incredible story of a Spain that, more than five hundred years ago, found, explored and populated a continent, "Mi" continent. "Here was Spain" read, and provide "Health Spain!”.
Puerto Hambre chose to inaugurate my blog Patagonia as a tribute to history, Spanish and Latin American, have in common (sometimes denied by some). But I chose it because the failure of this colony speaks of the wild Patagonia. Fortunately today this region is much more within reach of tourism at the time of Sarmiento de Gamboa, the founder of the City of King Philip, Puerto Hambre real name.
Before leaving the horizon the clouds parted and we saw in the distance to Monte Sarmiento that, himself as the orders of Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, continues to guard the Strait of Magellan.
Puerto Hambre left behind to explain to my readers that this blog will be weekly but with a special. Alternately a week to upload a photo for you all to try to guess where it is and what's interesting place commenting (that allows this web site). The following week will see the article revealing the place and the story behind the image. And so on: one week and the next picture, Article. So this particular blog of Patagonia. I invite you to participate!
Spain Health!

Contacto@GerardoBartolome.com
Gerardo Bartolomé traveler and writer is. To learn more about him and his work go to www.gerardobartolome.com

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Comments (23)

  • Palau

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    That so cool and amazing story

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  • Francisco

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    The truth that if that impressive history, color flipe, very good

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  • Sun

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    Interesting. The strange thing, knowing the oblivion to which his own conviction Spain, is there a plate in a remote location. Whose took the initiative? Congrats on the blog. Keep it up.

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  • Gerardo Bartolomé

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    Sun:
    Thanks for your comment.
    The monument and plaque were restored in early 2010 because there would race the ship of Latin America.
    Before that I had not even plate.
    Greetings to all!

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  • But

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    I know this place , is beautiful!! . After being there and knowing the history tried to imagine these people at that time in that place so far from everything , terrible adventure that had an unfortunate end.
    Sarmiento could not see was a gray day. This is the highest peak on the island of Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean side.
    Very interesting all greetings

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  • Gerardo Bartolomé

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    But:
    I'm glad you're interested. Strictly the highest peak in Tierra del Fuego is the eerie Mount Darwin, even harder to see that Sarmiento.
    That Monte has not one but TWO fascinating stories to tell but… leave it for another blog, ¿no?
    Greetings from South America!

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  • sergio

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    Hi Gerardo: Live in Rio Gallegos and frequently traveled to Punta Arena and visit these historical sites. Settlement there actually carried out is admirable, considering the place and time. But what touched me most, are the journeys of hundreds of people, bad shoes and half-naked between the city of Rey Don Felipe and Jesus Name City, in midwinter. Every time that borders the road and watch from the shore of the Strait, The picture played on my mind is that of a group of men, women and children marching to their deaths. Atte. Sergio

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  • Patagonia Ale

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    Gerardo Hottie!!!!
    I know the place and I loved it when I visited. Read part of the story makes you imagine how it would go to those places so remote and inhospitable…. to wonder!!!!!
    Greetings.

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  • Paula

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    Gerardo, I congratulate your blog is as interesting as your books!!!
    Greetings

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  • Maria Alejandra

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    Hi Gerardo: very interesting what you say and how

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  • Maria Alejandra

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    Hi Gerardo,interesting that the story you tell and how to tell it well! I imagine the grim silence…and the fate of all those people… A query: I wanted to locate the place on a map of the Strait of Magellan but could not find. Appears on maps? I have to find what name? Thanks and waiting for the next story.
    Greetings from Barcelona

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  • Gerardo Bartolomé

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    Maria Alejandra:
    Puerto Hunger as such does not appear on most maps. You can find it in Google Earth as "Port of Hunger".
    The nearest place that appears in almost every map is Fuerte Bulnes, only 5 km north.
    In any case we are talking about 60 km south of Punta Arenas. Almost an hour's drive with more than half of the road is paved.
    Thanks and regards

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  • Alvaro De la Maza

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    What a pretty story, did not know. Is it expensive to make the trip from Buenos Aires?

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  • Gerardo Bartolomé

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    Alvaro:
    There is so much expensive but the hand against. From Buenos Aires you can go by plane Bue – Santiago – Punta Arenas or Bue – Ro Gallegos and Punta Arenas there micro.
    Once in Punta Arenas you have to do is hire car as there are no tours to Puerto Hambre. Yes there to Fort Bulnes but is 5 km.
    Greetings

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  • Graciela

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    amazing story that did not know the truth thanks for telling Gerardo.

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  • ricardo

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    Thanks Peter. We are glad that you like the web. Your blog is very interesting traveler also. Congratulations.

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  • Mariano Alberto Russo

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    Dear Gerardo Bartolomé, I'm from Buenos Aires, in November 2016 We were able to meet with my Mrs. entire North of Argentina to the Quiaca, people loved their customs and landscapes, years ago we learned about Bariloche to El Calafate and El Chalten South all these places called my attention and in February 2017 Ushuaia met beautiful place and its people, with a fascinating story from the Beagle to life, customs and history of our Indian Fueguinos. I congratulate him on his two books ( Darwin's betrayal and the limit of Lies) books one, head opens and invites research through other stories who was our great Perito Francisco Moreno and Charles Darwin controversial, where with his theory of the evolution of man, It generated in many people the comfort of believing in something without having read other researchers. Gerardo, you to know reflect and recount stories in an extraordinary way so intense that the world must know. Thank you and God bless you.

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  • joaquin

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    Perhaps it is a matter of the Spanish sailors, From then until today.
    tells how you saw.
    Greetings

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  • joaquin

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    That remark was for Sole, and Gerardo agradcer.
    Greetings.

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  • Gerardo Bartolome

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    Mariano: Con cierto retraso agradezco sus palabras.
    Greetings!

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