- Famoso piatto dell'isola e' il Curanto: un piatto di carne, pesce e patate; una cosetta pesante che solo la protagonista americana del libro di Isabel Allende ne 'I quaderni di Maya' poteva mangiare.
- Chiloe' e' un arcipelago grande, ma non cosi grande da aver necessita' di ben 150 chiese. I Chiloti devono essere molto ma molto devoti.
- La chiesa gialla e viola di Castro ha proprio un suo perche' 🙂
The Isla Grande of Chiloe' Chiloe' is an archipelago of islands located in the Lake District, near Puerto Montt, in southern Chile. It is most-loved holiday destination for many Chileans, a particular and quiet place that offers more than 150 wooden churches, of which 14 declared World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Almost all churches are made by 'tejuelas', tiles (shingles) and a wooden interlocking structure that initially it did not require iron nails. I said initially because all churches have been renovated over the years and later helped with more solid and modern tools. Other logistical and architectural attractions are the stilts (palafitos): there are many houses raised on wooden beams that populate the islands. These are very curious and colored buildings, placed in front of the water. In Castro, one of the largest centers of Chiloe', there are lots of these and most of them host hotels and hostels. Of course, to attract tourists. Sometimes - when necessary- the houses, wood-made, are moved during the 'minga': this is almost a rite Community consisting of harnessing the house and then move it from one place to another. The whole community takes part to the event, in fact the people of Chiloe' helps vigorously in this total moving. The minga is not only performed in Chiloe', it is apparently a practice in use also in Bolivia, Peru' and Ecuador, but the chiloti are renowned for their enthusiasm and commitment that make the house even moving from an island to another. On the water! To see this to believe it (unfortunately we have not seen any minga!): Chiloe' seems a intact place, still, with small fishing villages where fishermen also collect seaweeds (apparently very popular for soups); it is surrounded by nature and tranquility where man has touched very little. Random thoughts:
- Famous dish of the island is the 'curanto': a dish with meat, fish and potatoes; a little heavy, that only the American protagonist of Isabel Allende's book (the Notebooks of Maya) could eat easily.
- Chiloe' is a great archipelago, but not so large to require 150 churches. The Chiloti must be very, very religious.
- The yellow and purple church of Castro is very charming 🙂