Best of Santiago
La Moneda
It is the government and presidential seat. The building of this colonial site was ordered by the Spanish Crown at the end of the XVIII century. The design was in the hands of the Italians architect Joaquin Toesca and Agustin Cavallero, but the first was who directed the works between 1784 and 1799 and gave to the building a neo-classical austere style. The production of coins in Chile took place at the building between 1814 and 1929 . It is one of the most notable buildings constructed by the Spanish crown in South America. It is situated at the heart of Santiago.
The neoclassical and high walls have been witnesses of the history of Chile. In june 1845 when Manuel Bulnes was president, “La Moneda ” became the seat of government and presidential residence . In 1930 it constructed the “Plaza de la Constitucion” a public square in front of La Moneda .One the most important events of Chile’s history occurred here: the military coupe of the general Pinochet and the Death of Salvador Allende in 1973. This day (September 11, 1973) the building was partially destroyed by aerial bombing. The reconstruction of the palace finished in 1981 including the bunker’s construction under the front square.
The president Ricardo Lagos decided to open the palace to the public.
Actually, La Moneda hosts the offices of the president and 3 cabinet ministers: Interior, General Secretariat of the presidency and General Secretariat of Government.
A new square called Plaza de La Ciudadania (Citizen Square) was constructed in La Moneda's southern front between late 2004 and early 2006. Two phases of the project are completed (a square between Alameda Ave. and La Moneda and a continuation of the square in the southern part of Alameda Ave.), with a third phase, which would lower the avenue to unite the two squares, still pending approval .
The changing of guard is made everyday at 10:00 o'clock and the pompous ceremony takes around half hour.
La Plaza de Armas (Main Square)
Designed by Pedro de Valdivia, it is considered the heart of the historical center. It is surrounded by the Cathedral, the Audiencia Real (Royal Court), the Central Post Office, formerly the conqueror's house- and Santiago's City Hall. At sunset it becomes a meeting and relaxation point where senior citizens, immigrants or mere passers-by take a rest, feed the pigeons o just hang out under the fresh shade of leafy trees.
The Plaza de Armas is situated in the quadrant formed by the streets: ”the Catedral“ by north, “21 de Mayo” by east, “Compañia” by south and “Paseo puente” by west. Under it is located a station of the Santiago’s Metro.
The place has got many trees and pretty gardens of European style. Around there are different commercial places; in addition to next to the cathedral exists a l zone called as little Lima, named thus by the great amount of Peruvian immigrants that there are there.
The Cathedral
The three first construction made in this place was shattered by earthquakes and fires. The actual building’s construction began in 1748 during the government of Ortiz de Rosas and finished in 1775. The new church was located in the same place chosen by Pedro de Valdivia, the city's founder.
Joaquin Toesca intervened in the fourth restoration of the monument giving architectural unity to the Cathedral, as he blended both classical and baroque featuress. Inside, it is possible to see three naves, two on the sides and a higher one in the center, as well as a barrel-vaulted ceiling.
Some of the most important features are the main altar, original from Munich and made of white marble with applications in bronze and lapis lazuli; the Holy Sacrament chapel, similar to the Saint John and Saint Paul Martir chapel in Rome; as well as the organs, pulpits and carved mahogany altar seats, dating from the XVIII century.
Its two towers were competed at end of the XIX century. In the last years it found amazing stone beams inside it. The tomb of the first Chilean Cardinal Jose Maria caro is here
The Cathedral was declared a National Monument in 1951 and houses the Museum of Sacred Art.
Real Audiencia" Palace or National Historical Museum.
It was constructed since 1804 till 1907. The work were in the hands of Juan José de Goycolea, who imposed a neo-classical style with Tuscan elements. It was opened in 1808 and it was used as Court seat during the colonial period. It later became the place where the First Independent Local Government ("Primera Junta de Gobierno") declared Chilean independence. In 1911, it was turned into the National Historical Museum with over 12 thousand pieces, distributed throughout the 16 halls representing the different periods of the history of Chile. It was declared a National Monument in 1969.
"Casa Colorada" (Red House).
It is the better conserved colonial residence in the city. Situated in Merced 860, it was constructed in 1769 by “Don Mateo del Toro y Zambrano”, a important businessman who bought the title of Count of the Conquest from the Spanish Royal Family. This beautiful house was built during a whole decade and it broke any of the architectural canons of the time. It was the first building with a stone-covered facade. But that wasn’t the unique innovation: the first floor was destined for the family's commercial activities, while the second floor was used as residence. In 1978, the "Red House", so called by its red facade, was declared a National Monument. Two years later, it became Santiago's Museum. The building has got 7 halls in where they are exhibited scenes of the life of Santiago since the times of the Araucanos until present day.
Cousiño Palace
That is a elegant Versailles-style mansion, which combines harmonious, sober and stylish lines, truthfully represents the interests, likes and way of life of the Chilean elite between the end of the XIX and beginnings of the XX century. It belonged to the progressive and influential aristocrat Mr. Luis Cousiño, who orders the architect Paul Lathoud the construction of the impressive residence in honor toh his wife, Mrs. Isidora Goyenechea, and show the huge of his fortune, one of the largest in the country.
The house has a majestic double-height living room with a marble staircase, as well as ample rooms and a dining room with original furniture. The home decoration is also amazing: iron railings, delicate wood, velvet, brocade and silk wall coverings.
In 1941, the house and part of the furniture were bought by Santiago's City Town Hall and later it became a museum and lodging place for distinguished visitors, such as General De Gaulle and Marshal Tito, among others. In 1968, the second and third floors were seriously damaged by fire, but they were later restored.
The palace was declared a National Monument. The building is located at 438 of "Dieciocho" (18) street.
Mapocho Station.
It is the biggest cultural center of Chile today, exhibits a great variety of artistic and cultural expressions. This building was a train station, which used to connect Santiago with Mendoza in Argentina across of the Andes, as well as with the northern part of the country and the port of Valparaiso, the station was used since 1913 until 1987.
Its construction was ordered to the Chilean architect Emilio Jequier, who was strongly influenced when studied in France by Gustavo Eiffel's style. So, the steel constitutes a central element in his work.
the station was abandoned in 1987, but few time after the recycling works started turning the place into an important cultural center. The remodeling finished in 1994 with any changes, since the architects wanted to respect the original design. The ” Mapocho” station is situated at 1215 of Balmaceda.
“Los Dominicos” (Handicraft Village)
This peculiar commune started as a village of craftsmen supported by the Dominican convent within which the artisan’s market resides. Whereas are many of the mass-produced items you can find works of art and crafts from Chile. The market offers also custom jewelry and other crafts made in leather.
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