Whispers of early 20th-century elegance linger here. You are standing before Casa Klenner-Kaschel. It is also known as Casona Alemana. This historic building in Puerto Varas tells a story of German settlers and architectural ambition.
Casa Klenner-Kaschel has been a national monument since 1992. Its existence is thanks to a Supreme Decree 290. This decree acknowledged the building’s historical and architectural value. The house stands as a testament to Puerto Varas’ rich heritage.
Bernardo Klenner built Casa Klenner-Kaschel between 1910 and 1914. It was intended as a family residence. The Klenner-Kaschel family called this place home. The building’s architecture showcases a neoclassical style. It was popular in the early 20th century.
The house occupies a plot of 1403.2 square meters. The building itself covers 555.6 square meters. Casa Klenner-Kaschel features a ground floor and an attic. Its structure consists of a wooden framework. The walls and roofs are clad in corrugated iron sheets.
Manuel Bulnes’ government sought to integrate and economically exploit the area between Valdivia and Puerto Montt in 1845. The Colonization Law of that year was enacted to attract foreign immigrants. Bernardo Phillipi was tasked with recruiting Germans. German families began settling around Lake Llanquihue and Valdivia from 1850 onwards. They transformed the area by incorporating their architectural, gastronomic and musical traditions.
These settlers boosted the region’s agriculture, industry, and commerce. Puerto Varas was founded in 1853. It started with 212 German settlers. By the end of the century, it had grown into a thriving town.
Casa Klenner-Kaschel embodies this prosperity. The house is also known as the German House of Puerto Varas. Bernardo Klenner constructed it between 1910 and 1912 for residential use. The house spans 555.6 square meters. It has a neoclassical historicist style. It features a single story with an H-shaped attic volume. The structure is made of wood. The exterior is clad in corrugated iron sheets. The house is adorned with neoclassical-style openings and cornices.
Today Casa Klenner-Kaschel is part of a recovery project. This is within the “Master Plan for the Puerto Varas Typical Zone”. The project focuses on restoring areas damaged by wood-boring insects. It also replaces non-original wood cladding. Imagine the craftsmen meticulously restoring the ironwork. The goal is to preserve this unique architectural gem.
Casa Klenner-Kaschel represents a fusion of cultures. It embodies the dreams and ambitions of early settlers. Its walls echo with the laughter and stories of generations past. As you leave Casa Klenner-Kaschel, remember its enduring legacy. It stands as a symbol of Puerto Varas’ vibrant history.