Valparaiso is, simply put, one of South America's most unique and spectacular cities. It's a ramshackle jumble of brightly coloured houses and mansions literally clinging to the hills. In 2003 the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its 100 year old still-functioning funicular lifts, crazy Victorian architecture and intangible cultural heritage.
Valparaiso was once the most important port city in South America, an essential stop off for ships heading north to the West Coast of the USA. The city was the financial and cultural heart of Chile and during the 1800s Valparaiso was, to all intents and purposes, a British city. This is obvious in the archictecture of the city, particularly the former British enclaves of Cerros Alegre and Concepion.
Due to the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, Valparaiso entered a period of decline that it is only now starting to come out from. The city is one of Chile's poorest but this is rapidly changing. Many Chileans are starting to realise what they have on their doorstep; a spectacularly beautiful city and a potential tourism goldmine.
From being ignored just a few short years ago, Valparaiso is now attracting more and more local and international tourists. The city plays host to over 50 international cruise liners between the months of October and March and out of season tourism is also increasing. Valparaiso is now home to some of Chile's finest boutique hotels and restaurants and its old mansions are being converted in trendy loft style apartments, something that many people would have found unthinkable five or six years ago.
And there is still a long way to go for the city. For anyone that has seen the regeneration of historical city centres in Europe,the USA or Buenos Aires in Argentina, it is obvious that the potential in Valparaiso is enormous. Many Chileans still have their doubts but more and more are beginning to understand what Valparaiso could be: One of South America's biggest tourist attractions and an off-beat cultural heart for Chile.
Below are some photos of the city.
