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Culture of Santiago. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces
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 … 
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Santiago and surroundings
Plan your own excursion through Santiago: churches, museums and castles
La Moneda Palace, Santiago
Location on the map: 
Facts:
» La Moneda Palace is the official residence of the President of Chile. Facts:» 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
Location on the map: Facts:
» Cathedral of Santiago de Chile is a main Catholic sanctuary in Santiago and the residence of the archbishop of Santiago de Chile. Facts:» 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
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
Location on the map: Facts:
» Gran Torre Santiago is a 64-storey skyscraper in Santiago. It is the highest building in South America. Facts:» 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
Location on the map: Facts:
» San Cristobal Hill is the highest point in Santiago. Facts:» 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;
Where: Praza do Obradoiro, Santiago;
Botafumeiro
The Food Market
Where: Plaza de Abastos, Santiago;
Where: Plaza de Abastos, Santiago;
Audiowalks
Where: Rúa do Vilar 63, Santiago; Telephone: +34 981 555 129;
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;
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
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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
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Map of all churches
Cathedrals and basilicas near Santiago
♥ Basílica del Salvador, Santiago, 3.2 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Santiago, 3.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ 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
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♥ Catedral Castrense de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Santiago, 6.9 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Maipú, 11.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Catedral de San Bernardo, Santiago, 14.6 km from the center. On the map
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Photogallery of cultural heritage of Santiago
Landmarks of culture on Santiago map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc
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!
