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