I Want to Move to This Neighborhood of Rainbow Houses on Stilts

On the misty and pastoral island of Chiloé in Chile, the palafitos, or wooden houses on stilts, provide sunny pops of color against the bucolic backdrop.

Chiloé, South America’s second largest island, sits off the coast of Puerto Montt in Chile’s Lake District. The sea informs the culture of the inhabitants, who have built their lives literally on top of it.

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Stilt houses provide an opportunity for residents to capitalize on land and sea, using the tides to fish.

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Behind the houses are vegetable gardens, chicken coops, and laundry lines.

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The architecture and design are often nautically-inspired.

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Houses are usually made of wood and larch tiles.

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Wooden pegs are often used instead of nails.

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The dramatic change in the tide creates mudflats and run boats aground.

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Low tide.

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High tide.

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The houses in the towns of Castro and Chonchi are particularly charming in appearance, but the palafito design is functional in many ways–the stilts keep the house safe from flooding and protect against vermin.

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Today, many of the palafitos have been renovated into cafes or boutique hotels.

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