The estate was the first place in Mexico to generate its own electricity using a turbine in the 1890s.
Eulogio Gillow, the former owner, was a close associate of President Porfirio Díaz.
The island castle was constructed by Gillow to impress his wife, an English noblewoman.
The estate once functioned as a self-sufficient agricultural colony with its own school and infirmary.
The lake system was designed to provide irrigation for the hacienda's vast wheat and corn fields.
During the Mexican Revolution, the hacienda was targeted and suffered significant internal damage.
Ex-Hacienda de Chautla is an 18th-century estate located in the municipality of San Salvador el Verde, Puebla. The site is most famous for its 'Castillo Gillow,' a Victorian-style brick manor situated on an island in the middle of a man-made lake. The estate was founded in 1777 by Manuel Ignacio de Escalante y Arzú. In the late 19th century, it was owned by Eulogio Gillow, the first Archbishop of Oaxaca, who introduced innovative agricultural machinery and hydroelectric power to the region. The property covers approximately 60 hectares of gardens, forests, and walking trails. Visitors can explore the remains of the original hacienda, a chapel, and the historic grain storage buildings. It currently functions as a public park managed by the state of Puebla. The site features extensive green areas and recreational fishing zones. The architecture reflects a fusion of colonial Mexican design and European Victorian influences.
The stone bridge leading to the island, capturing the castle reflected in the lake.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the terrain includes gravel paths and uneven trails.
Bring a light jacket, as the altitude and forested areas make the site significantly cooler than nearby Puebla city.
Plan your visit for a weekday if you prefer to photograph the castle without crowds.
Do not attempt to swim in the lake or climb on the exterior walls of the historical buildings.
Generally closed on Mondays.
Maintain silence near the chapel, stay on marked trails to protect local vegetation, and refrain from feeding lake wildlife.
