Sewell: A Ghost Mining Town in the Andes

Nestled in the Andes Mountains, 60 kilometers east of Rancagua, lies Sewell, a remarkable ghost town with a rich mining history. Founded in 1905 by the Braden Copper Company, Sewell was built to house the workers of El Teniente, the world's largest underground copper mine. The town is situated at an altitude of between 2,000 and 2,250 meters (over 7,000 feet) on the slopes of Cerro Negro, a location marked by a harsh climate.Sewell's unique architecture and urban design earned it the nickname 'City of Stairs'. Built on terrain too steep for wheeled vehicles, the town's buildings are connected by a series of staircases, including the large Escalara Central, which was built from the railway station. This design reflects the town's origins as a company town, where the mining company controlled all aspects of life.At its peak in the 1960s, Sewell housed over 16,000 people and had a hospital, fire department, social clubs, a movie theatre, a bowling alley, several stores, a church, and many other facilities. The town had a special culture that combined Chilean and American customs. However, after the nationalization of the copper industry in 1971, the state-owned company began moving workers into the valley, leading to Sewell's gradual abandonment.Today, Sewell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its outstanding example of a 20th-century industrial town. About 50 original buildings still stand and are being restored. Visitors can explore the town's historic buildings, including the Teniente Club Building, and visit the Museum of the Great Copper Mining, which showcases the history of copper mining in Chile.