When Magellan first passed through Ushuaia, he saw the local indigenous people using fire, so he named this place Tierra del Fuego. This is the only city in Argentine territory on the other side of the Andes! The name in the Yámana indigenous language means “island that extends into the bay to the west,” but it actually extends to the east, so it is speculated that the original inhabitants used the direction facing the sea as a reference.
End of the World Train: In 1902, the Argentine government established a prison in Ushuaia for serious criminals and political prisoners. At the time, this was a very remote and hard-to-reach place, chosen to prevent prisoners from escaping.
Railway use: To solve the problem of timber transportation, the authorities built a narrow-gauge railway, which was initially just a simple wooden structure.
Prisoners: They were used to cut down forests and transport the wood to the town via the railway for heating and construction. They preferred working outside rather than being locked up in prison because they could get some fresh air, and even at night in the mountains, they could have their shackles removed.
The prison closed in 1947, and the railway tracks were damaged and closed in 1952.
Macarena Station: There is a small waterfall, and the train drivers used to take advantage of this waterfall to refill the engine’s water tank.
On both sides of the railway, there are tree stumps cut by the prisoners back then!
They were required to cut the trees down to ground level, so the different heights we see now are due to snow accumulation.
Tierra del Fuego National Park:
End of the World Post Office: It has been closed for more than a year.
Trail: Starting from the post office, walking along the edge, but we found the scenery ordinary, not particularly impressive, and due to possible rain in the previous few days, the ground was muddy.
Indoor Craft Market: Not many stalls, but the items sold are quite exquisite.
Tourist Service Center: You can get six stamps, and you can also request a free certificate.
Old Captain: Eat king crab!
Antigua Casa Beban: Built in 1911, the Beban family was a wealthy and influential family in the area, and they built this house as a family residence, considered one of the most luxurious buildings in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago at the time. Its unique European architectural style contrasted sharply with the simple local buildings.
The structure and decoration of the house reflect the process of European immigrants bringing their culture and way of life to South America. Later, it became a clinic and hotel.
Ushuaia Sign
Old Governor’s House: On October 12, 1884, Argentina first raised its national flag here, and the government was officially established.
Sightseeing the city by double-decker bus: It introduces some features of Ushuaia.
End of the World Landmark
Post Office: You can get three stamps, but the quality is much worse compared to the tourist center.
Maritime and Prison Museum
Saint Christopher: A haunting relic of the sea, now beached on the shore. This vessel once braved the icy waters of the Antarctic, participating in daring expeditions and vital ship rescue missions. Its final significant voyage in the 1950s was a valiant attempt to salvage a Norwegian cargo ship that had run aground in the treacherous Beagle Channel.
Though the mission ultimately ended in failure, the Saint Christopher’s efforts were a testament to the bravery and resilience of maritime history. After this last endeavor, the ship, burdened by mechanical failures and the wear of time, was left to rest in the port of Ushuaia, a silent guardian of the past.
