Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The town's name, meaning Stony Point or Arrow Point, originated from the Tehuelche
who once wintered in this valley. After the Welsh constructed their first house in 1874,
the two groups peacefully coexisted for a time. Later immigrant groups of criollos, Ger-
mans and Anglos joined. Gaiman's homey digs provide great value for lodgers, but the
town offers little in the way of diversion beyond quiet strolls past stone houses with rose
gardens after a filling teahouse visit.
Tiny Gaiman is 17km west of Trelew via RN25. Av Eugenio Tello is the main road,
connecting the main town entrance to leafy Plaza Roca. Most of the teahouses and histor-
ic sites are within four blocks of the plaza. Across the river are fast-growing residential
and industrial areas.
Sights
Gaiman is ideal for an informal walking tour, past homes with ivy trellises and drooping,
oversized roses. Architecturally distinctive churches and chapels dot the town.
Primera
Casa
(cnr Av Eugenio Tello & Evans; admission AR$15; 11am-6pm)
is the first house, built in
1874 by David Roberts. Dating from 1906, the
Colegio Camwy
(cnr MD Jones & Rivadavia)
is considered the first secondary school in Patagonia.
WELSH LEGACY
The Welsh opened the door to settling Patagonia in 1865, though the newfound
freedom cost them dearly. Few had farmed before and the arid steppe showed no
resemblance to their verdant homeland. After nearly starving, they survived with
the help of the Tehuelche, and eventually occupied the entire lower Chubut valley,
founding the towns and teahouses of Rawson, Trelew, Puerto Madryn and Gaiman.
Today about 20% of Chubut's inhabitants have Welsh blood, but a revival of
Welsh culture is dragging it back from the grave. According to Welsh historian
Fernando Coronato, 'For the old principality of Wales, Patagonia meant its most
daring venture.' This renewed bond means yearly British Council appointments of
Welsh teachers and exchanges for Patagonian students. Curious Welsh tourists
visit to time travel in their own culture, thanks to Patagonia's longtime isolation.
Museo Histórico Regional Gales
MUSEUM
(cnr Sarmiento & 28 de Julio; admission AR$5; 3-8pm daily Dec-Mar, 3-7pm Tue-Sun Apr-Nov)
The old train station houses this fine small museum holding the belongings and photo-
graphs of Gaiman pioneers.
