Facts About Valdivia
- The city was founded in 1552 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, who named it after himself.
- Valdivian pottery, including bowls, jars, and feminine figures, holds the distinction of being the oldest in the Americas, with origins dating back to 2700 BCE.
- Valdivia is strategically located at the confluence of four rivers: Calle-Calle, Valdivia, Cau-Cau, and Cruces.
- In 1909, a devastating fire swept through the city, destroying much of its architecture and leaving a lasting impact on its urban layout.
- The city has a significant German influence, dating back to the mid-19th century when German immigrants arrived and contributed to the development of the region.
- Valdivia is famous for its craft breweries, reflecting a growing craft beer culture in Chile. The city hosts several breweries that produce a variety of artisanal beers, and beer enthusiasts often visit to explore the local brews.
- The city boasts the remains of the Valdivian Fort System, a defensive network built by the Spanish in the 17th century to protect against indigenous Mapuche uprisings.
- Valdivia is often referred to as the “beer capital” of Chile, thanks to its German heritage. The city is known for its beer festivals and local craft breweries.
- The majority of Valdivia is situated on the southern banks of the Valdivia and Calle-Calle Rivers, while additional city areas like Isla Teja and Las Animas are linked to the main part by bridges.
- Teja Island is an artificial island in the Valdivia River, offering a peaceful escape with parks and recreational areas.
- The city is surrounded by the Valdivian Rainforest, a unique temperate rainforest with diverse flora and fauna.
- Valdivia features colonial-era architecture, showcasing structures that trace their origins to the 16th century. The historic centre of the city vividly mirrors its rich Spanish colonial heritage.
- In 1960, Valdivia experienced the most powerful earthquake ever recorded, with a magnitude of 9.5. The quake and its associated tsunamis caused widespread damage and loss of life. The economic damage totalled $550 million (more than $4.8 billion, adjusted for 2020 inflation).
- The Valdivia earthquake left two million people homeless, injured at least 3,000, and killed approximately 1,655.
- Valdivia is a mid-sized city in Chile, with an estimated population of 143,207.
- Valdivia is twinned with the following sister cities: Neuquén, Argentina; Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Mount Pleasant, United States; Tacoma, United States; Hobart, Australia; Hamburg, Germany & Ateca, Spain.
- the Valdivia Book Fair is hosted annually in Valdivia and is orchestrated by the Municipal Cultural Corporation at Parque Saval.
- Valdivia boasts colonial architecture, with some buildings dating back to the 16th century. The city’s historic centre reflects its Spanish colonial past.
- Valdivia is renowned as the City of Rivers and has earned various titles such as The Pearl of the South, The Key of the South Seas, Gibraltar of the Pacific, and Chile’s most beautiful city. The affectionate moniker “Valdilluvia” is a combination of the Spanish words for rain, “lluvia,” and Valdivia, alluding to the city’s notably rainy climate.
- Friar Camilo Henríquez born in Valdivia was one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Chile.
