Sights in Ushuaia
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A
Museo Marítimo & Museo del Presidio
When convicts were moved from Isla de los Estados (Staten Island) to Ushuaia in 1906, they began building the national prison, which was finished in 1920. The spokelike halls of single cells were designed to house 380, but in the prison’s most active period held up to 800. It closed as a jail in 1947 and now houses the Museo Marítimo & Museo del Presidio. It’s a fine port of call on a blustery day. Halls showing penal life are intriguing, but the informative plaques are only in Spanish. Two of the more illustrious inmates were author Ricardo Rojasand and Russian anarchist Simón Radowitzky.
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Glaciar Martial
A good hike from downtown leads up to Glaciar Martial, where you can enjoy views of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel; in fact, the views are possibly more impressive than the actual glacier. Catch a taxi up the hill or, if you're up for an all-day hike, follow San Martín west and keep ascending as it zigzags (there are many hiker shortcuts) to the ski run. At this point, either take the Aerosilla chairlift or walk another two hours into town.
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Parque Nacional del Tierra del Fuego
Extending 63,000 hectares (155,676 acres) from the Beagle Channel in the south to beyond Lago Fagnano/Kami in the north, only a couple of thousand hectares of this park are open to the public: a miniscule system of short, easy trails along the rivers or through dense native forests. Plenty of birdlife graces the park, especially along the coastal zone. Keep an eye out for albatross, terns, oystercatchers and orange-billed steamer ducks.
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B
Museo del Fin del Mundo
Built in 1903 for the territorial governor Manuel Fernández Valdés, this building was a branch of the Banco de la Nación up until 1978 when it was transformed into the Museo del Fin del Mundo. Exhibits on Fuegian natural history, stuffed bird life, aboriginal life and the early penal colonies, and replicas of an early general store and bank, are of moderate interest.
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C
Mundo Yamaná
More an experience than museum, the modest Mundo Yamaná explores Fueguinos’ attempts to bring the Yaghan (Yamaná) culture to life. Some of the expertly detailed dioramas (details in English and Spanish) are based on accessible bays and inlets of the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego; coming here before hiking in the park will give you new bearings.
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Beagle Channel
A boat trip is the best way to view the Beagle Channel, with attractions such as the sea-lion colony at Isla de los Lobos, and Isla de Pájaros. Other options include a more expensive catamaran trip or the historic 70-passenger Barracuda, which chugs to the Faro Les Eclaireurs lighthouse.
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D
Parque Yatana
Part art project, part urban refuge, Parque Yatana is a city block of lenga forest preserved from the encroaching development by one determined family.
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E
Casa Beban
Casa Beban was built in 1911 using parts ordered from Sweden. The house sometimes hosts local art exhibits.
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F
Legislatura Provincial
The 1894 Legislatura Provincial was the governor’s official residence.
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G
Iglesia de la Merced
The century-old Iglesia de la Merced, was built with convict labor.
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