Welcome to Santiago, Chile
We invite you to visit Santiago, the capital of Chile in the southern part of South America. First established by the Spaniards in 1541, today, Santiago is a city of over five and a half million people that is surrounded by mountains. The center of the city is the best place to get a taste of the history and the many transformations that Santiago has gone through.
A walk through a ten square block area in the historic center of Santiago offers you the opportunity to discover many museums, churches, parks and architectural treasures. Here are some of our top recomendations:
Palacio de la Moneda
The offices of the president of Chile. The Spanish colonial administration built it as a mint. The first section was finished in 1805 and in 1846 it was established as the presidential palace.
Centro Cultural Palacio de la Moneda
Located in front and under street level of the Moneda, it contains art galleries, one of which has a display of Chilean artisan works, a movie theater and a gift shop.
Church of San Francisco
The church with its courtyard and a museum are all that remains of what was, during the colony, the region's largest convent belonging to the Franciscan order. Part of its walls date back to the 16th century and in the museum you can find Chile's best collection of colonial art.
The Biblioteca Nacional
The national library and archives are located a block down and across the street in a building that opened its doors to the public in 1925 to store the contents of the then 112 year old national library.
Cerro Santa Lucia
St. Lucia Hill was a sacred hill to the natives that the Spaniards first used as a lookout point and in 1816 built fort Hidalgo for the defense of the city. In the 1870s it was transformed into the park that today offers a break from bustling downtown Santiago with walks to the top of the hill and overlooks of the city. On one side of the main entrance there is a cave like opening that houses a store that sells indigenous arts and crafts.
Teatro Municipal
The municipal theater was built in 1857, it houses the Santiago Philharmonic Orchestra and the Santiago Ballet. One side of the building has been renovated as a restaurant / cafe.
The Santiago Museum
Housed in a colonial urban house that dates back to the 18th century and offers a history of the city.
Plaza de Armas
The place where the city was founded is surrounded by some of the most important buildings of the colonial period. It is a very busy place with thousands of people visiting or crossing it daily and many activities taking place like chess games, comedians, jugglers, as well as landscape and portrait painters.
Cathedral
The current building was begun in 1748 and then rebuilt and renovated at various times during its history. Many of Santiago's most illustrious citizens are buried here as was customary in colonial times.
Correo Central
The central post office was constructed in 1882 on the site of the original governor's residence and in addition to the post office there is a postal museum.
Museo Historico Nacional
The National History Museum is housed in what was the seat of the royal representative, it contains documents, photographs, paintings and every day objects that detail the different periods of the history of Chile.
Santiago's Municipal Building
The oldest of the original buildings in the plaza was built in 1785 to house the first local government and jail.
Pre Colombian Art Museum
Located a block away from the plaza is a world class museum with an impressive collection of pre Colombian artifacts.
Old Congress Building
Also located a block from the plaza it now houses the library of congress. After a 44 year long period of construction and reconstruction it was inaugurated in 1901. It has been home to the congress and in the last fifteen years it also housed the Foreign Ministry.
Estacion Mapocho
Located next to the Mapocho river about five blocks from the Plaza de Armas, the old northbound train station today serves as a cultural center with galleries, restaurants and a large exhibit space. It was built between 1905 and 1912 with a metal roof structure that is 422 feet long by 132 feet across.
Mercado Central
A busy food and fish market with restaurants serving local fare was inaugurated in 1872 with a 152 feet high central steel structure.
Parque Forestal
A tree lined park running about six blocks next to to the River Mapocho that was built on land reclaimed from the building of the retention channel for the river.
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
Sits inside the Parque Forestal, the contemporary art museum known by its acronym MAC has a substantial collection of contemporary Chilean art.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Located back to back to the MAC, the national art museum was built in 1910 and is the most important Chilean art museum with year round exhibits of its vast Chilean art collection.
Lastarria Neighborhood
Sn area with many bars and restaurants that has two more museums to visit, the visual art museum which has a collection of over 750 pieces and the small Archeological Museum of Santiago.
All these places are found within a 10 square block area in the historic center of Santiago. And with seven stops within the area, outside of rush hour, the metro is the easiest way to get here. The area can be visited using the many pedestrian only streets with restaurants, movie theaters, banks, hotels, department stores blending together with residential, government and office buildings and the many businesses that make up the city's busy downtown.