Get to know Frutillar
History
The town of Frutillar was founded on November 23, 1856, by order of President Manuel Montt, with the support of Interior Minister Antonio Varas. Naturalist Bernardo Enom Philippi, discoverer of Lake Llanquihue and instigator of the colonization policy of this region, called it "paradise" —likening it to Switzerland. In February 1842, upon discovering this immense lake nestled in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, he described it as follows:
"The water of this lake is as clear as that of Geneva in Switzerland; its surface is about seven leagues long and the same width, so that I could not distinguish the front shore. Like that lake, it has the snowy Alps; on one side, the Andes mountain range rising from its eastern shores, with a volcano covered in snow up to half its height that juts into its waters."
In December 1853 Vicente Pérez Rosales, head of the colonization of Llanquihue, described the town of Frutillar as follows:
"With persevering faith and perseverance, this nascent establishment will soon become the jewel of the southern part of the republic."
The intensity of its views and contrasts, the purity of the air and water, reflect the natural clarity of Frutillar Bay. The city remains unspoiled in Chilean Patagonia, a jewel of the republic. Thanks to 169 years since its founding and the continuous commitment to preserving nature and respecting the waters of Frutillar Bay, this great preservation goal has been achieved, in the face of the disproportionate growth of other shores of Lake Llanquihue.
In Frutillar, culture flourishes, just as the German settlers envisioned it in 1856. Today, the immensity of colors and forms can be appreciated in every season. Thus, the magic of Frutillar Bay offers a spectacular paradise at the end of the world, with a unique atmosphere. Frutillar Bay is projected as the cultural and innovation capital of Chile, declared by UNESCO in 2017. It is also considered the sailing and golf capital of southern Chile.
Frutillar is now emerging with a strict regulatory plan that protects its environment and will make it a model urban center for the country. Frutillar Bay boasts the Teatro del Lago, a powerful and unique venue in the Americas. The Cofradía Náutica de Frutillar yacht club has a robust marina, with port facilities that make the bay the sailing capital of southern Chile. The Patagonia Virgin Frutillar Golf Club, designed by Nicklaus, along with its tennis courts, offers outdoor sports on a riverfront with sun-drenched views of the Osorno, Puntiagudo, and Tronador volcanoes.
As described by Charles Darwin in 1834 on his voyage to Patagonia aboard HMS Beagle, he stated the following:
"The flora of this region is diverse and ranges from the Andean-Patagonian forests to the semi-desert vegetation of the southern part of the American continent. However, abundant native forests can be found in northern continental Patagonia, from the mountains to the Pacific Ocean, in the valleys near the lakes."
First German settlers 1856
Discover Frutillar
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Location
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Table of Distances from Frutillar
(In Kilometers)
989
313
170
65
16
22
42
Santiago
Temuco
Valdivia
Osorno
Llanquihue
Puerto Varas
Puerto Montt
Lake Llanquihue via Highway 5 South from Santiago to Puerto Montt. Domestic flights from Santiago every hour, duration 1:15 min.
Frutillar is located on the western shore of Lake Llanquihue, in the Tenth Region of Los Lagos, in southern Chile. Just over 20 km from Puerto Varas and 45 km from Puerto Montt, the city boasts a privileged natural setting: facing the imposing Osorno Volcano and surrounded by landscapes that combine the greenery of the south with the tranquility of the lake. Its road connectivity and proximity to regional airports make it an accessible and attractive destination to live and visit.
TENTH REGION OF THE LAKES - Chilean Patagonia
