Puerto Bories

The Frigorifico Bories was built between 1912 and 1915 by the Sociedad Explotadora de Tierra del Fuego, the company that dominated Patagonian sheep, and it was an entire industrial complex on the shore: slaughterhouse, cold stores, tannery, tallow works, its own power plant and workers' housing, in English-influenced brick and corrugated iron, built to process hundreds of thousands of sheep a season for export to Britain. It closed in 1971. Part of the complex was restored as a hotel and museum, with the machinery left in place in some halls, and the rest stands empty. It is a national monument.

Background

Puerto Bories lies about 5 km from the centre of Puerto Natales and grew as a company town around the plant. Besides the works it had a radio station, a swimming pool, a small dairy, recreation grounds and housing for managers, engineers and accountants. At full capacity the plant handled between 150.000 and 250.000 sheep a year, with 100 permanent staff and up to 400 workers from January to April. The buildings follow a "Post Victorian Industrial" style and keep British machinery from the early 20th century. After a tax auction the land was divided into mostly small private parcels, so even the plaza and roads belong to residents. In 2010 the plant reopened as the hotel The Singular Patagonia.

Source: Wikipedia, "Puerto Bories"

The main sights

• A complete industrial complex - slaughterhouse, tannery, tallow works and power plant.
• Built 1912 to 1915 - for the Patagonian sheep export trade.
• Closed in 1971 - and left standing.
• Machinery in place - in the restored halls, now hotel and museum.

When to go

October to April. Half a day.

What to expect

Much of the complex is a private hotel and not all of it is open to visitors. The museum has limited hours. Unrestored sections are fenced. The wind off the fjord is severe.

Nearby

The town of Puerto Natales is a few kilometres down the fjord; the Paine massif is inland to the north.

Key facts