Naval and Maritime Museum of Punta Arenas, Punta Arenas

The Naval and Maritime Museum of Punta Arenas is a regional historical institution dedicated to preserving, studying, and sharing the naval and maritime legacy of the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic region. Founded on November 4, 1994, and opened to the public in January 1995, the museum is housed in a striking heritage building that once served as the Command in Chief of the Magallanes Naval Station. Built between 1908 and 1910 by architect Miguel Bonifetti, the structure now anchors a collection of over 1,600 artifacts that offer a deep dive into the area's nautical past.

The museum is organized into several themed rooms, including those dedicated to Naval History, national hero Arturo Prat, and Regional Maritime Interests. Visitors can also explore a video library and a detailed exhibit on the Bonacic Brothers’ shipyard-the first of its kind in southern Chile, founded by Yugoslav immigrants in 1896. Among the standout displays is a reconstructed ship bridge, complete with maps, navigation charts, and a vintage radio room, offering an immersive glimpse into life at sea. The museum also pays homage to the dramatic rescue of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition crew, a pivotal moment in maritime history involving the Chilean Navy.

Beyond its historical displays, the museum highlights the central role the sea has played in the development of the Magallanes region. For decades, maritime routes were the only means of connection between this remote corner of Chile and the rest of the country. Shipwreck relics, early navigation instruments, and scale models of vessels bring these stories to life.