"A piece of Wales in Patagonia" Gaimán by andal13

Gaimán Travel Guide: 18 reviews and 39 photos

Un trozo de Gales en la Patagonia

This town was founded in 1874 by a group of Welsh immigrants; the Argentinian government had invited the Welsh some years before, to populate the desert Patagonia. The first immigrants arrived in 1865 to Golfo Nuevo (New Gulf), and since there, new contingents arrived and founded other towns (Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Rawson). Subsequently arrived Spaniard and Italian immigrants.
Gaiman means "hone" in tehuelche (the language of native people); it is situated at River Chubut, and surrounded by little farms where grow potatoes, alfalfa, strawberries, raspberries). It has a population of 6.000 inhabitants, and 5 % of them still speak Welsh.
Some of the original buildings still remains; if nowadays people build new houses with Welsh style, they are exempted of some taxes.

Este pueblo fue fundado en 1874 por un grupo de inmigrantes galeses; el gobierno argentino de la época había invitado a los galeses algunos años antes, para poblar la desértica Patagonia. Los primeros inmigrantes llegaron en 1865 al Golfo Nuevo, y desde entonces, nuevos contingentes llegaron y fundaron otros poblados
(Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Rawson). Posteriormente arrivaron inmigrantes españoles e italianos.
Gaiman significa "piedra de afilar" in tehuelche (la lengua de los nativos); está situado a orillas del río Chubut, y está rodeado de chacras en donde se cultivan papas, alfalfa, frutillas, frambuesas. Tiene una población de 6.000 habitantes, y el 5 % de ellos aún habla galés.
Algunos de las construcciones originales aún permanecen; si en la actualidad se construyen nuevas casas con estilo galés, los propietarios son exonerados de algunos impuestos.

Last visit to Gaimán: Sep 2003
Intro Written Sep 20, 2003
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Reviews (14)

How to go? Transportation (1)

Gaiman is close to Trelew, the second city of Provincia del Chubut; route 25 joins both cities; from Puerto Madryn, take... more travel advice

Local kids Things to Do (11)

These kids, like every kid in the whole word, were curious: facing a tourist with a camera, they pose for the picture!... more travel advice

Catholic Church Things to Do (11)

There is only one Catholic church in Giaman: Nuestra Señora de Luján. There are many Protestant chapels all over the... more travel advice

Big Wheel Things to Do (11)

An ancient big wheel can be seen at the main square canal; among the blue lilies and the willows, it composes a very... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Delight

Restaurants (1)
Welsh Tea

Comments (14)

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barryg23 Apr 23, 2005 at 5:35 AM

excellent page, my girlfriend, who is welsh, really wants to go here. looks very interesting
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pepples46 Oct 10, 2004 at 9:19 PM

just stumble into this superb page Andrea. learnt something today, never expected the Welsh here.excellent narration. tks for sharing
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Bwana_Brown Sep 1, 2004 at 2:00 AM

Quite an interesting page on this small part of Wales hidden away in Argentina! Very enjoyable reading!
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Sweetberry1 Nov 22, 2003 at 3:36 AM

Wonderful page.. . ;-))
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pili Nov 15, 2003 at 3:57 PM

Que pueblito tan encantador parece ser Gaimán! Espero poder tomar el té galés allí en un futuro próximo.-
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cbeaujean Nov 7, 2003 at 1:04 AM

seguimos tus pasos...compartiendo tus sorpresas y sentimientos!tenemos la impresion de cumplir el viaje,por segunda vez:-))...gracias,andrea!
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Geisha_Girl Oct 16, 2003 at 7:59 PM

Charming little town! I love the Canal photos. The area looks very GIVERNY-esque.......(or is Monet-istic??) ;-)
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kenmerk Oct 11, 2003 at 5:41 PM

Interesting little Welsh island in Argentina...
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globetrott Oct 9, 2003 at 8:51 PM

a lovely and remote place & great pics !
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Hexepatty Sep 24, 2003 at 11:07 AM

We have a song too but I forget the words. It's better than MANUEL's song!