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La Moneda
Palace. Built in 1805, this is the presidential palace.
Although badly damaged in the 1973 coup, today it has been completely
restored to its former use. |
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Plaza de
Armas. This pleasant square, typical of many in Chile and other
Latin American cities, lies in the very heart of the city, with the
Cathedral at one end. Santiago is the fourth largest city in South
America, with a metropolitan population over 4 million. |
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Cathedral.
Although begun in the 17C, this edifice has been rebuilt several times,
and the current structure dates mainly from the 19C. |
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Paseo
Ahumada. This pedestrianized street starts at the Plaza de Armas and
runs for several blocks through the center of Santiago. At almost
any hour it is thronged with people strolling or shopping. |
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Statue of La
Patria. This sculpture, a representation of the republic and a
feature on Chilean money, lies in the broad green median of the Boulevard
O'Higgins, which runs over 3kms through central Santiago. |
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Former Congress
building. The Congress met here until it was dissolved following
implementation of military rule after 1973 until 1990. Today the
Congress meets in a modern (and thoroughly ugly) modern edifice in
Valparaíso, and this building houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
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Parque
Forestal, two views. This park runs for some length along the banks
of the Mapocho River through central Santiago, providing a welcome respite
of green. The park is particularly lovely in spring (September -
November) when the numerous flower beds are in bloom. |
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View from Santa
Lucía hill. This small hill, just north of the downtown area, is
the alleged site where Pedro de Valdivia founded the city in February
1541. |
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Bellavista
district. This neighborhood lies just across the Mapocho River from
the downtown area at the base of the San Cristóbal mountain.
Formerly rather run down, it is today undergoing much gentrification, and
has become a popular venue for restaurants and nightclubs. Many of
the houses bear witness to the large number of immigrants from Germany and
central Europe who came to Chile in the 19C. |
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View, Parque
Metropolitano. This park occupies the slopes of San Cristóbal,
which rises 300m (950ft) above the city. The park is the largest in
Santiago, complete with a zoo, picnic areas, and a funicular to the
summit. |
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Springtime,
Parque Metropolitano. In spite of usually poor air quality caused by
its geographic position between two mountain ranges, Santiago gets some
relief from its extensive system of parks and gardens. |
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Fruit
market. Open air markets are a common sight in Santiago, especially
on weekends. |
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Church of San
Francisco. One of the finest churches in the city and dating from
the 17C, this also houses a very good museum of colonial art. |
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Flower stand,
Avenida Providencia. This area, which takes the name of its
principal through street, has many fine homes and is one of the wealthiest
in Santiago. |
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Cajón
del Maipo, three views. This attractive valley follows the course of
the Maipo River just about an hour's drive southeast of Santiago, and is
popular on weekends for bicycling and walking. It was here that a
car carrying General Pinochet was ambushed in 1986 in an assassination
attempt. |
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Flowers, north
of Santiago on the Panamerican Highway. These California poppies are
surely not native to Chile, but bloom in great profusion in the spring
along roadsides. |
