Gaiman, Welsh customs in pure state
Although it is a small town, not too known at national level, the tourists that arrive at Puerto Madryn (72 kilometers from there) or at Trelew (17 kilometers from Gaiman) are strongly recommended to visit this quiet town with curious Welsh customs and delicious teas: Gaiman.
Maybe like no other Argentinean Province, Chubut experienced a large wave of Welsh immigration by the end of the past century, even larger than the Spanish or the Italian one. They concentrated specially at two points in the Province: the mountain range, in Trevelin (a small town similar to Gaiman), and the Chubut River Valley, in the East.
In the latter, the cities of Rawson, Madryn and Trelew were created and nourished by Welsh people eager to work the land. However, the place where they mostly kept their traditions was Gaiman.
It was the first municipality in Chubut and, for decades, it was the most prestigious center of the colony, due to its agricultural and livestock production.
Odd as it may sound, despite Welsh tradition, the place’s name origin isn’t Welsh but tehuelche. It means "Whetstone" or "Stone Point".
So those who want to see a Welsh town, almost stuck in the past, with language, architecture and traditions of Welsh origin, should not fail to visit Gaiman.
For those who wish to know Welsh culture in depth, there is the Museo Histórico Regional Galés (Welsh Regional Historic Museum), situated at the junction of Rivadavia and Sarmiento streets. There is also the Tunnel, a mysterious cave through which the former railway ran; and the old chapels, beautiful buildings of English architectural style that turned out to be a true spiritual support for the colonists.
And, of course, after walking around the curious Gaiman streets and the river bank, the visitors can enjoy the famous Welsh tea, prepared according to old customs, which give it a remarkable taste and perfume, and which are served with delicious pies.
Very near the town, at Bryn Gwyn, we find the First Latin-American Paleontological Park (a true open-air museum). The park was created by Trelew’s museum, the MEF (Egidio Feruglio Museum), and it constitutes another unique attraction where it is possible to see the fossil remains (corresponding to the different geological ages) of those who inhabited this incredible, vast and mysterious Patagonia through 40 million years.
The writer Ester de Izaguirre describes Gaiman in H.E. Bowman, pictures, by Stella M. Dodd’s prologue in the following terms: “it is green in Summer, with all the imaginable tones of gold in Autumn, and it is white like the cliffs of Dover in Winter. Peaceful customs, as well as Welsh architectural style, language, and religious convictions were all kept by its inhabitants since the colonization, as if in custody".
Dolavon
It is situated 36 kilometers (22 miles) from Trelew city, following the National Route Nº 25. Its Welsh name means “River Meadow”, as a reference to the beauty of the surroundings.
Dolavon was formed from immigrants of different nationalities who settled in the area, although most of them were the descendants of those Welsh people who came in the “Mimosa” sailboat. around 1865.
Two of the main attractions of Dolavon are the waterwheels that raise water from the channel and the important mill, which arouses the curiosity of the visitors.