Castro is the third oldest city in Chile, founded in 1567. It is at the end of a fjord that reaches almost 20km into the island of Chiloé. This city has been destroyed again and again by earthquakes and fires and twice by the Dutch. Despite this Castro still retains its character, as these photos show.

There are a number of surviving palifitos, which are the traditional houses on stilts of the region, on the water fronts of the city.

Like most buildings in Chile, most construction in the town is a mix between wood and what seems like scrap metal. The towns cathedral is made of tin hammered into the shape of wood, which must have helped it survived the many natural disasters.

Tags: castro, chile, chiloé