A bit of history 1536 - the town was founded. It was a fisher village. Its name was given by one of the commander of one of the Spanish expedition, it referred to his hometown in Spain. Valparaiso was the main harbour in South America even after the independence. Under the gold rush it (1848–1858) it became the major port until the Panama canal was opened. It lured immigrants from France, Germany, UK, Switzerland, and Italy. Spaniards set rules when it came to build churches especially fro British and German as confessions differ. They were allowed to build churches on hills with a narrow entry. The city has absolutely no urban plan and is built on 42 hills. The hilly city used to have 40 lifts down to 16 and only 8 are still running. Maintenance is done every Monday. There is one called Reina Victoria and this was to commemorate Victoria Queen´s death. Valparaiso commonly called Valpo is colourful, bohemian and ... hilly for sure! The colonial architecture, the narrow streets, and its famous streets art make a charming atmosphere that inspired poets like Pablo Neruda. Every corner is unique and an new experience. Actually it is prohibited to paint anywhere only if you are the owner of the building. Anyone can come at night without being caught and paint over an art! Therefore Valpo can change over night! Only 1.30 from Santiago ... it was time to explore the city. Approved! Let´s have a closer look at the street art! The fishermen story There are so many of them... can´t tell exactly the right numbers. At least 13. It tells the story about the local fishermen. The first street art depicts fish heads with human feet - they are dancing but to protest against the international companies that decided to fish at a larger scale. Locals disagreed on that. The second picture is a fisherman alone who works for those companies. The last one tells about the fisherman kneeling and praying. Companies with strategies to fish at a larger scale destroy the market. Random Valpo: from the harbour to Conception Area Lukas One of the Chilean caricaturist. He was born in Italy but he immigrated with his parents to Chile when he was 12 years old. He was a famous caricaturist and worked for the Mercurio (one of the biggest newspaper). The following caricatures evoke Chilean and their faults disguised in different animals. The first one and the last one show a roaster and a seal, they meant that Chileans cannot really say no. Santiago vs. Valpo People from Santiago think that people from Valparaiso are lazy and idle. Therefore they protested and wrote: we are not hippies, we are happies. On Sunday, nothing was opened unless restaurants in the touristy area. No one was out until the afternoon. Relax atmosphere! Santiago and inhabitants are considered as stressed out well ... nothing to compare with Paris! Why running all the time after the time???? Typical houses The Peral restaurant It took quite a few hours before getting although my googlemaps friend told me only twenty minutes. Valpo is a maze but it is nice to get lost, I strolled in areas and discovered nice street art. Without knowing it, I made a nice tour in the morning in the Alegre and Conception neighbourhood. (it was confirmed when I took the free walking tour in the afternoon). Great food, nice view on the harbour, and well decorated! The nature makes it beautiful!
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