La Moneda Palace (between Calles Teatinos and Morandé, Santiago) – this is the office of the President of Chile. Originally designed in neoclassical style during the late 18th century by Italian architect Joaquín Toesca (which was previously the official mint), the northern portion of the palace was badly damaged by air force missile attacks during […]
Iglesia de San Agustín (Agustinas 838, Santiago) – another colonial era structure, this Spanish Baroque & Neoclassical church (a.k.a. Our Lady of Grace) was built in 1625 (making this the second oldest church in Chile).
Centro Cultural Palacio de la Moneda (Av. Libertador Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago) – located in the southern façade of the Palacio de la Moneda, this cultural space was built between 2004 and 2006 (designed by Chilean architect Cristián Undurraga). Here, visitors are given access to the cultural and audiovisual richness of the country. Side exhibits […]
Museo de la Solidaridad Salvador Allende (Av. República 475, Santiago Centro, Santiago) – this museum is named after deposed Chilean president Salvador Allende, making this a “must see” stop for those sympathize with the man and his views. Its permanent characterized modern art between the 1960s and 80s. It begins with the so-called Latin American […]
Museo Colonial de San Francisco (La Alameda 834, La Alameda, Santiago) – this museum (which has a collection of colonial and religious art) is located in the San Francisco convent that was built in 1628 (one of the oldest structures in Santiago – remarkable, considering that it survived three massive earthquakes!). Many of the colonial-era […]
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (Bandera 361, Santiago) – this museum exhibits pre-Columbian art from not only Chile, but all of Latin America. Because of its sizable collection, many who visit Santiago say that this is among the first sites worth visiting. The building that this museum is housed in is the Royal Customs House […]
La Chascona (Fernando Márques de la Plata 0192, Bellavista, Santiago) – this house once belonged to Nobel Prize–winning poet Pablo Neruda – which was built for this third wife (Matilde Urrutia), and nicknamed it “La Chascona” (because of her unruly hair style). This home (one of three that Neruda owned) contains an array of collectibles […]
Gran Torre Santiago (Avenida Andrés Bello 2425, Providencia, Santiago) – this modern billion-dollar architectural wonder is the tallest skyscraper not only in Chile, but throughout Latin America (300 meters tall) and is part of the Costanera Center complex (which is to be completed in 2014-2015). Two hotels and additional office towers are being built here […]
Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts (Parque Forestral, near Av. Ismael Valdés Vergara) – designed by architect Jorge Enrique Dubois and opened in 1910, this museum has an extensive collection of Chilean art, as well as artwork from other Latin countries. Admission: 600 pesos (general), 300 pesos (students and seniors). Free entrance for all on […]
Chilean National History Museum (Plaza de Armas 951, Santiago) – locally known as MHN (Museo Histórico Nacional), this museum is located in the Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago. Paintings, archival materials and artifacts are used to highlight the country’s history from the pre-Columbian period to the 1970s. Admission: $600 pesos (adult), $300 (seniors). […]