Day 10 (November 18, 2017) in Puerto Varas, Chile

Today is the eve of presidential election Chile. Since no election campaign within 72hr election day, it seems a bit quiet. We went to do hiking to the top of San Cristobal, which a statue of St Marry is erected at the top of the hill. From the top of the hill, one can clearly see the entire city of Santiago. It is so magnificent view. There is cable car that goes all the way to the top of the hill.  The hill, which is 300m above the rest of city, is located at the northern part of Santiago. Before the arrival of the Spanish forces in Chile, the hill was venerated by the indigenous population and known as Tupahue, meaning “Place of God” in Mapundungun (indigenous Chilean language). However, after the Spanish force arrived, the Spanish conquistadors for St Christopher changed the name to Cerro San Cristóbal in recognition of its use as a landmark.

 Heading to the top of San Cristobal hill!

The San Cristóbal hill first served as a home for Mills Observatory (currently known as the Manuel Foster Observatory) in 1903. BTW, Mills observatory is a twin of the Lick Observatory of the University of California. Later the hill dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, with statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The statue, which was designed by Luigi Poletti and constructed by Giuseppe Obici, is believed to be a reproduction of the “Virgin of Rome”. The construction of the statue cost 22,000 francs at the time. The first stone to build the statue was placed on the 8 December 1904 and the officially inaugurated on 26 April 1908. The statue measures 14 meters tall and weighs 36,610 kg. The pedestal on which the statue rests is 8.3 meters in height, and within the pedestal there is a small chapel in which Pope John Paul II prayed and blessed the city of Santiago on April 1, 1987. The statue is lit up at night by lights placed on its sides, allowing it to be viewed from all over Santiago both day and night. Currently the statue is in good condition, and was given a thorough clean and repaint in early 2012.

 St Marry Statue at the top of San Cristobal hill!

 This is where Pope John Paul II prayed and blessed the city of Santiago on April 1, 1987

 

Most importantly, you really enjoy the magnificent view of Santiago city from the top of the hill!

 I was also very lucky to pause picture with his Holiness Pop Francis at the top of the hill!

At the foot of the Blessed Virgin Mary statue there is Capilla La Maternidad de Maria Church for holding masses or other religious ceremonies.

 Capilla La Maternidad de Maria Church at top of San Cristobal hill

The Chilean National Zoo, a Japanese-style garden, and two municipal pools (Tupahue and Antilén) are also located at the foothills of Cerro San Cristóbal. Cerro San Cristóbal also houses Santiago's largest public park: the Santiago Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano).