Sewell Mining Town
Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins
Sewell is an uninhabited mining town located on the steep slopes of the Andes in the Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins Region of Chile. Founded in 1906 by the Braden Copper Company to house workers of the El Teniente copper mine, it became one of the largest company towns with a peak population of around 16,000 in 1960. The town is notable for its distinctive architecture adapted to the mountainous terrain, including the central Escalera Central staircase, which served as the main thoroughfare due to the absence of streets and vehicles. Sewell was a vibrant community with family housing, shops, plazas, a movie theater, and social facilities. It faced significant challenges such as avalanches, earthquakes, and mining disasters, including the tragic 'Smoke Tragedy' of 1945 that led to improved safety regulations. Following the nationalization of copper mining in 1971, the government relocated residents to the valley, and many buildings were demolished or restored for preservation. Today, Sewell is a protected National Monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical significance as a model company town and its exceptional urban layout in a mountainous environment. Visitors can explore restored buildings and a mining museum that recounts the town's rich industrial heritage.
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Tip: The best time to visit Sewell is during the warmer months to avoid harsh winter conditions and snow. Visitors should consider booking guided tours in advance, as the site is remote and access is limited. While exploring, be prepared for steep staircases and uneven terrain, as there are no roads for vehicles within the town. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, or groups through official tour operators. Wear comfortable footwear and bring weather-appropriate clothing due to the variable mountain climate.
Zajímavosti
- •Sewell is known as the 'City of Staircases' due to its unique urban design centered around a large central staircase called Escalera Central.
- •The town was built at an altitude between 2,000 and 2,250 meters on the slopes of Cerro Negro in the Andes.
- •In 1944, an avalanche killed 102 residents, highlighting the dangers of its mountainous location.
- •The 'Smoke Tragedy' of 1945, where 355 workers died from carbon monoxide poisoning, led to significant improvements in mining safety regulations.
- •Sewell was once home to around 16,000 people at its peak in 1960, making it a large and vibrant mining community.
- •The town's buildings were brightly painted in colors like yellow, red, and blue, constructed mainly from timber.
- •The narrow gauge railway connecting Sewell to Rancagua climbed 1,500 meters in elevation over 72 kilometers.
Historie
Sewell was founded in 1906 by the Braden Copper Company as a company town to support the El Teniente copper mine, named after Barton Sewell, the company's first president.
The town developed rapidly, with a narrow gauge railway connecting it to Rancagua completed in 1911.
Ownership shifted to Kennecott Copper Company during the Great Depression.
In 1944, an avalanche tragically killed 102 people, and in 1945 the 'Smoke Tragedy' caused over 300 deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning in the mine.
The Chilean government acquired a majority stake in 1967, nationalized copper mining in 1971, and began relocating residents to the valley.
Demolition of many buildings started in the late 1970s but was halted in the late 1980s to preserve the town.
Sewell was declared a National Monument in 1998 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006 due to its cultural and historical importance.
Průvodce po místě
Escalera Central (Central Staircase)1906-1911
The main vertical staircase that connects the different levels of Sewell, serving as the primary pedestrian thoroughfare in the absence of streets and vehicles. It symbolizes the town's unique adaptation to steep mountainous terrain.
Mining Museum of Gran Minería del Cobre2010
Located in the former Industrial School building, this museum showcases the history of copper mining in Sewell and the El Teniente mine, with exhibits on mining technology, worker life, and the town's heritage.
Former Residential and Social BuildingsEarly 20th century
Restored timber buildings painted in bright colors that once housed workers and their families, including shops, plazas, and a movie theater, reflecting the town's vibrant community life during its peak.