Juan Pablo II Municipal Museum

A trip into the past to learn about the development of southern Chile from a human development and natural history viewpoint.

In the rooms are displayed the skulls of marine mammals, and specimens of terrestrial and aquatic birds, fauna and mollusks. As regards archaeology, there is information on Monte Verde, a place where the first vestiges of man's presence in the humid forests of the south of Chile was found.

There is also a display of artifacts from the Chilota culture, from a place called Pozuelo de Calcumeo, seafaring and navigation items from times of the Spanish colony and photographs documenting the German settlement of Puerto Montt that started in 1860.

The museum was founded in 1988, 10 months after the visit of Pope John Paul II. It is located on the second floor of Puerto Montt Municipality.

Address: Diego Portales 991
Phone (65) 261-700 extension 822
Timetable: in summer (December through February) from Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; in winter (March through November) from Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m..

Piedras Monteverde Museum

In 1976, some 35 km southwest of Puerto Montt, the oldest human remains on the American continent were discovered, whose antiquity is variously dated by researchers at between 15,000 and 30,000 years.

The museum takes visitors back to the origins of Chilean history. In its halls are displayed the objects used by these men, including scrapers and grain-grinding mortars, as well as totems and religious figurines.

Address: Luis Mansilla 173, corner of Manuel Montt
Phone: (65) 292-929
Entrance fee: adults 1,000 Chilean pesos (about two dollars).