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Santiago

Culture of Santiago. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Santiagos El Golf Financial District Among the most remarkable and significant landmarks of the city the Basilica del Salvador is best worth mentioning and visiting by all tourists without exception. The Basilica is located in the center of the Brazil borough of the city which a few years ago was a center of bohemian life of the destination. The construction of the Basilica building was finished in 1892. The building is executed in keeping to the best traditions of Neo Gothic style. The Basilica is closed for public. Tourists will have a chance to estimate its inner decoration and design only on significant religious holidays.
1. Despite a low crime level tourists should be aware of cheaters and fraudsters in the streets of the city. One should not use services offered by strangers no matter how profitable these … Open
Another heavily visited spot of tourist interest of the city is the central cemetery (Cementerio General) serving as the final destination of prominent citizens and politicians. The cemetery is of great architectural and historical interest and significance as its territory keeps numerous unique constructions and monuments each of them featuring its own history. The most remarkable nature attraction of the tourist destination is considered to be the Saint Lucia Mountain.
A hundred years ago the mountain was just a rocky hill. At present the top of the mountain is taken with a magnificent garden being decorated with hundreds of species of rare plants and flowers, ingenious statuary groups and beautiful fountains. The garden is a place of location of an ancient chapel which keeps several remarkable religious artifacts. Considering other architectural landmarks and sites of the destination the Palace de la Moneda is best worth mentioning. The palace served for many years as the main residence of the president of the country. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Discovering the architecture of Santiago from bird's eye view! Cathedral of Santiago, Gran Torre Santiago, Estacion Mapocho, Entel Tower, all those monuments are defining the image of Santiago … Open
The name of the palace can literally be translated as a “coin”. Its construction was finished in the 18th century. The building of the palace was initially purposed to be a mint. And only in 1846 the palace changed its profile. The palace served as the main governmental residence till 1973. Today the palace houses various governmental offices and institutions.
Santiago de Chile One of the most significant landmark of the country scale is the Cousino Palace which was erected in the 19th century. The building of the palace is executed in a charming French style. The palace was initially owed by a wife of an honorable coal-master and thereafter was transformed into an art museum. Among cultural establishments of the destination the Museum of Visual Art is best worth attention and visiting of tourists. The museum keeps a magnificent collection of pictorial artworks, amazing statues and photos of prominent local artists.
La Moneda Palace, Central market, San Cristobal Hill, Municipal theater, as well as many others, they all become the world's cultural heritage objects and remain as iconic monuments for Santiago … Open
The most visited place in the capital of Chile is perhaps, the Cerro San Cristóbal. The hill is famous for its magnificent views of the city, which appears before its guests in a different light – covered by clouds that seem to protect it from all misfortunes – and so different. At the top of the mountain, you can find a beautiful sculpture of the Virgin Mary (Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción) – it seems that she also does not mind being the defender of Santiago. The road to the mountain is no less attractive – most tourists, however, prefer to do it on the funicular, from which they can also behold lovely views. If you choose a footpath, other significant places can be beheld: the church Santuario del Cerro San Cristóbal, Observatorio Manuel Foster, as well as several viewing platforms.
Santiago de Chile It is worth highlighting another interesting observatory worthy of a visit – Observatorio Astronomico Andino, which is located near the picturesque national park Parque Puente Ñilhue. In the observatory, in addition to the fact that you can get a good look at a surprisingly beautiful starry sky, thematic events (exhibitions, conferences) are often held here. The walls of some of the buildings in Santiago are decorated with beautiful works of art created by local artists. One such place can be found while walking along Avenida Departamental Street. The place is even named accordingly – Museo a Cielo Abierto (“open-air museum”). Another place can be uncovered if you choose to walk along Monjitas street (it is worth considering that the area is a ghetto). All places of interest of this kind can be seen if you book the wonderful Urban Adventure Street Art Tour.
The modern South American city Santiago is located near the Santa Lucia hill on the shore of the Mapocho River. Santiago is a truly stylish city built in the colonial style in the square … Open
Among the religious sights of Santiago, the beautiful church Catedral Metropolitana, which is a magnificent masterpiece of neoclassicism, is worth mentioning. The cathedral was erected in the year 1800 and acquired its present appearance in the 1890s. Nearby is situated the first church that was built on the territory of Chile – Parroquia El Sagrario. This happened in 1546, and five years later, Santiago was founded by conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. The building was destroyed several times: due to the uprising of locals, as well as earthquakes – but it was always restored. In 1905, reconstruction was carried out, during which the building acquired its current look.
Santiago en invierno (Winter in Santiago Chile) The majestic Templo Votivo de Maipu is another important landmark of sacral architecture. The shrine was erected in 1892 in honor of the independence of Chile by decree of Bernardo O'Higgins, the founding father of Chile (although it began in 1818). The commander promised the Virgin of Carmen, should they be victorious, to build a church in her honor. However, the death of the commander in 1842 did not allow him to see the erected shrine. The construction of the new building started in 1948 and was completed in 1974, making the temple one of the magnificent landmarks of Santiago. Nonetheless, you will not find only Catholic shrines in the city – there is the fascinating Templo Bahá'í with its appearance resembling a lotus.
Plenty of seafood dishes, inimitable beef treats, various vegetables and fruits are the main distinctive features of ethnic cuisine in Santiago. According to true gourmands the city of … Open
Against the background of the rest of the buildings, the magnificent Tor Tor Granti Santiago skyscraper stands out sharply. It is also the highest building in Chile, occupying the third position in the list of the highest buildings in South America. With a height of 300 meters, the skyscraper has 64 floors. The building was constructed in 2010 and was initially 226 meters in height, by which time it had overtaken the Titanium La Portada skyscraper located next to it. Being the tallest building in the city, it is the first thing visitors of the city usually notice, including from the viewing platforms on the San Cristobal hill. Another beautiful skyscraper is the largest shopping center Nueva Costanera, on the top floor of which you can find a viewing platform.
Santiago de Chile The Barrio Yungay districts and the nearby Barrio Brasil, are areas worthy of walking through. These are neighborhoods where you can find something interesting at every turn. Walking along the Barrio Yungay, here and there you will encounter museums, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. Houses that were built in different periods totally go together with the overall picture and are in perfect harmony with each other. The district Barrio Brasil is renowned as the most artistic quarter – the buildings located here will amaze your imagination with its colorful and unusual architecture. This is one of the busiest areas of the city – and this is precisely why it is considered the best when we talk about exploring the local culture and way of life.
The main feature of Santiago lifestyle and culture is multinationality of the destination. Tourists will be surely much impressed with a unique fusion of various cultures and traditions. … Open
The Puente Pío Nono Bridge also deserves to be mentioned as an important monument. Earlier on this place was located the old bridge, built at the end of the 19th century. It was however decided to rebuild it in 1984. Another wonderful place of interest of the capital of Chile is the book-depository Biblioteca Patrimonial Recoleta Dominica, where the historic monastery used to be located. There are about one hundred and fifteen thousand books of the 16th-20th centuries, among which you will find many unique works (for example – the bestiary “Nova Raccolta de li Animali piu Curiosi del Mondo”, with pictures by Antonio The Tempest). The historic railway station Estación Central is another building that should be included in the tourist route around the city. It was built in 1857 according to the design of the French company Schneider-Creusot.
Santiago As for government agencies that draw the attention of travelers, there are several of them. First of all, there is the Palacio de Tribunales de Justicia building that has a stunning appearance. Its construction was completed in 1930, and an architectural style most suitable for buildings of this kind was chosen – neoclassical. The Ex Congreso Nacional building is another example of neoclassical architecture. The construction of this building was completed in 1901. Already in 1906, it was badly damaged by an earthquake, after which restoration was carried out. Going inside the building, tourists will appreciate not only the rich interior but also a collection of paintings by Chilean artists. It has remarkable patio facilities – the work of landscape designer Guillermo Renner.
The resort city of Santiago offers its guests a vast choice of entertainments for active leisure fans, hiking enthusiasts, shopping addicts and nightlife entertainments admirers. A visit to … Open
Many places in Santiago witnessed the tragic events that occurred in the history of Chile. One of these is the area of ​​Villa San Luis (Las Condes), the project of Salvador Allende, which took only a few years to come to pass. In 1970, it was decided to relocate low-income people here, and the idea was in their unification. In 1973, after the Chilean coup, the residents were evicted. Today, in the midst of modern skyscrapers and fashionable buildings, you can see the “ghost district”, reminiscent of the events that occurred after Augusto Pinochet came to power. The “living history park” Parque por la Paz Villa Grimaldi, stores terrible secrets of torture, humiliation, and kidnapping that occurred during the Pinochet dictatorship. Perhaps this is one of the most important places among all the attractions of the capital of Chile, which without visiting, can be considered that you did not make a trip to Chile at all.
The San Cristobal Tower by night The Casa Presidencial de Tomás Moro, the official residence of Salvador Allende, is also an interesting place to visit. It was precisely from here that, on September 11th, 1973, that the President started out and went to the Palacio de La Moneda, where he uttered the words “It rains in Santiago”. This was a signal to Pinochet's associates to start a coup. The President committed suicide from a machine gun presented by Fidel Castro right after uttering the words. Evidence of this is the exhumation of the body of Allende, produced in 2011, although for a long time it was believed that the president was killed at the hands of attackers. With regard to architecture, it is worth noting that the estate was built in 1938 under the influence of Spanish architecture.
1. Despite a low crime level tourists should be aware of cheaters and fraudsters in the streets of the city. One should not use services offered by strangers no matter how profitable these … Open
One of the obligatory cultural sites that you should definitely visit while exploring Chile’s sights is the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos. Much attention is paid to human rights violations that occurred during the civil war regime of Augusto Pinochet from 1973-1990. It was opened in honor of the 200th anniversary of Chile, which was marked in 2010. Important artifacts related to the history of the country are stored in the Casa Colorada museum. The building itself is a fascinating sight to behold. It was built in 1769 in a beautiful colonial style. Another interesting museum for those interested in history is the Museo Historico y Militar de Chile, were stories about the history of the country are narrated, starting from its very foundation to the present.
forsant The house-museum Casa Museo La Chascona, where the outstanding Chilean poet Pablo Neruda lived, will be interesting not only for fans of the author’s work. Near the manor you can find an astonishingly magnificent fountain. Inside the house, you will be met by beautiful interior decoration. Art lovers will be happy to visit art galleries located in the capital of Chile, including Museo Violeta Parra. You can see the amazing works of art of the Indians of Chile before the conquistadors arrived here, in the beautiful cultural center Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. Here you can find figures, canvases, and paintings of the pre-Columbian era. A stunning collection of archaeological finds that were discovered on the territory of Chile awaits tourists who have decided to visit the cultural center Museo Arqueologica de Santiago.
Discovering the architecture of Santiago from bird's eye view! Cathedral of Santiago, Gran Torre Santiago, Estacion Mapocho, Entel Tower, all those monuments are defining the image of Santiago … Open
Of interest is the Planetario de Santiago, where you can learn a lot of useful information about space and make great photos. Those interested in paleontology should go to the cultural center Museo Nacional de Historia Natural. If in the company of young tourists, you should visit the museum where the history of Chile’s railway transport is told – Museo Ferroviario de Santiago, as well as the cultural center striking with a variety of interactive exhibits – Museo Interactivo Mirador. As for those places where tourists can have great leisure while watching theatrical performances, it is worth mentioning the theaters Teatro Municipal de Santiago and the Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral GAM. For excellent walk impressions, you should go to the picturesque green areas of Santiago, Parque Bicentenario and Parque Araucano.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Santiago and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Santiago and surroundings

Plan your own excursion through Santiago: churches, museums and castles

La Moneda Palace, Santiago

» La Moneda Palace is the official residence of the President of Chile.
»  La Moneda is literally translated as “coin” from Spain. The name is associated with the initial function of the building. There had been a mint before. The construction started to serve as a presidential residence only in 1846.
»  The palace opened its doors to tourists in 2003. Today, you can admire the luxury interior of the palace and incredibly beautiful courtyards.
»  Not so long ago, a square was set up. There is a culture center and a monument to President Arturo Alessandri.
»  If you visit La Moneda in the morning on odd days, you will see the changing of the Guards. This process is really impressive.

Cathedral of Santiago, Santiago

» Cathedral of Santiago de Chile is a main Catholic sanctuary in Santiago and the residence of the archbishop of Santiago de Chile.
»  The cathedral is built in a baroque style. Together with a bishop’s palace and the Tabernacle Church, it is the part of an architectural complex.
»  It is a national monument that is located in the Plaza de Armas, in the city center.
»  Some of the most interesting attractions in the cathedral are carved and wooden desks of the 19th century and an organ. They were made in the workshop of Calera de Tango in 1756.
»  Here, you can visit masses and touch the tombs of great Chilean persons.

National Museum of Fine Arts, Santiago

Location on the map:   Facts: » The National Museum of Fine Arts is located in Santiago and was founded on September 18, 1880. It is the oldest museum in South America.
»  Since 1910, the museum has been occupying a palace that was built in honor of the hundredth anniversary of the independence of Chile. In April 1976, the building of the museum was recognized as a historic monument.
»  The museum collection contains over three thousand exhibits, including paintings, sculptures, sketches, and etchings. Here, you can mostly see masterpieces of Chilean artists.
»  At the same time, the museum houses a lot of works of famous foreign masters, Spanish and French artists and sculptors.
»  The Italian sector presents 60 paintings, most of which were painted from the middle of the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century.
»  The museum also houses the small collection of 46 kakemonos, scrolls painted with ink or watercolor. Some scrolls were gifted by the Chinese Embassy in 1968. You can also see here 15 statuettes from Black Africa and 27 Japanese etchings.

Gran Torre Santiago, Santiago

» Gran Torre Santiago is a 64-storey skyscraper in Santiago. It is the highest building in South America.
»  Gran Torre Santiago is a part of the Costanera Center that also includes a shopping mall, two hotels, and two office buildings.
»  The 64-storey tower is an office building too.
»  Here, offices meet the standards of international security and infrastructure. There are even thermo panels and anti-UV windows.
»  In the building, there are 24 lifts, 19 of which have double cabins.

San Cristobal Hill, Santiago

» San Cristobal Hill is the highest point in Santiago.
»  On the hill, there is a 36-meter statue of the Virgin Mary who is considered as a local patroness. There is the Metropolitano Park around it. 
»  On the hill, there are also an observation platform, a botanical garden, a wine museum, and a zoo. At the foot of the hill, there is a museum dedicated to Pablo Neruda, a famous Chilean writer and Nobel Prize Laureate.
»  Every year, concerts are held in the open air on the platforms.
»  San Cristobal Hill is citizens’ favorite place for walks and one of the main attractions in the city.
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What to visit during two-day excursion in Santiago

The Cathedral
Where: Praza do Obradoiro, Santiago;
Botafumeiro
The Food Market
Where: Plaza de Abastos, Santiago;
Audiowalks
Where: Rúa do Vilar 63, Santiago; Telephone: +34 981 555 129;
Museo Das Pergrinacións
Where: Rúa de San Miguel 4, Santiago; Telephone: +34 981 581 558; Metro: 6, 10, 11 and 15;
The Alameda Park
The Tourist Train
Reference information
Map of all palaces
Public palaces near Santiago
♥   Palace 'Palacio de La Moneda' , 2.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Palacio de las Majadas de Pirque' , 21.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all art museums
Art galleries in Santiago and around
♥   Art museum 'Santiago Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)' Santiago de Chile, 3.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all churches
Cathedrals and basilicas near Santiago
♥   Basílica del Salvador, Santiago, 3.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Santiago, 3.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Cathedral Metropolitana de Santiago, Santiago, 3.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Basílica de Lourdes, Santiago, 4.5 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Catedral Castrense de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Santiago, 6.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Maipú, 11.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Catedral de San Bernardo, Santiago, 14.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Santiago

Thailand Relaxes Its COVID-19 Policy

New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this

29.03.2024

Photogallery of cultural heritage of Santiago

Landmarks of culture on Santiago map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc

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Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Santiago

Culture guide to Santiago. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Santiago: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Santiago. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!
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