Pablo Neruda is one of Chile’s most beloved poets. He was also the winner Noble Prize in Literature in 1971. During his final return to Chile (https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/la-chascona), Neruda met Matilde Urrutia and they began an affair. By this time he had been married and was also a celebrity so to protect his reputation and keep the affair, he built the La Chascona, a house where he and his then mistress Urrutia would meet in private. It is located on the mountainside of San Cristobal.

The name La Chascona was given to the house as a reference to the unruly curls of Urrutia, who later became his third wife. Chascona is a synonym for the word “unkept” in Chile. Neruda’s love of the sea made him build the house with the shape of a ship. The dining room was modeled on a ship’s cabin and the living room on the lighthouse. This overelaborated architecture makes it stand out catching people’s attention. The house itself has a collection of colored glasses, shells, furniture and artworks by his famous friends. The house, among the three left by Neruda, are maintained by the Neruda Foundation. It is open for visitors as a museum for his love of art and also of Urrutia. Guides tours are available in different languages.

Fitness near La Chascona

There are many hotels near La Chascona that offer gym facilities which give you the time to relax and have your fitness session after a long day visiting different places. Sportslife Purísima offers an excellent gym facility for any visitor in La Chascona. The Purísima Sportslife gym has modern machines and equipment for any traveler. Their programs cater to the different needs of their clients which gives them an edge when it comes to the varying needs of their different clients. The TrainAway App will help you with the daily passes as you would not need any registration. Check out the TrainAway App.

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