In 1779 the Spanish crown founded Fort San José on the shore of Golfo San José, one of the first European settlements in Patagonia. It was destroyed in 1810 in an indigenous attack. The remains are today a historic site inside the peninsula.
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1779 | Fort San José is founded |
| 19th century | Salt mining at Salina Grande and Salina Chica; commercial hunting of sea lions and elephant seals |
| Late 19th century | First sheep ranches (estancias), many still working |
| 1898 | Puerto Pirámides is founded as the port for shipping salt |
| 1999 | UNESCO World Heritage listing |
Local tip: the peninsula’s ranches are private: access to the wildlife coast is regulated and only through the authorized viewpoints.
Explore the peninsula
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