SANTIAGO

The capital of Chile, founded in 1540. Among its attractions are: parks, museums, art galleries, palaces and monuments. It serves as a starting point to the other regions of the north and south. The regions of Valparaiso and Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins are considered the nearest.

Among the attractions the city of Santiago has to offer are:

O’HIGGINS PARK

It is situated between Beauchef and Rondizoni streets.

An old and well-preserved park donated to the city by Don Luis Cousiño and inaugurated in 1873. It was designed by the landscape architects Arana Borica and the French Guillermo Renner. It was a pass time place for Santigians at the end of the 19^th century and still is one of the most popular places to visit. It has beautiful gardens, many attractions and entertainment places like: a geological and paleontological museum and the famous amusement park called Fantasilandia. It offers picnic areas, El Huaso museum, the municipal aquarium, insectarium, typical food restaurants, artisan shops, a lagoon with water- pedal boats to enjoy the sun of the day, a swimming pool, a roller-blades dome and many avenues.

FORESTALL PARK

It is located at the south side of the Mapocho river between the Baquedano and Prat Plazas.

A beautiful park planted with leafy trees and pleasant to go for a walk. It was built on the lands left over after the canalization of the Mapocho river in 1891 and was inaugurated by the quarter-master general, Enrique Cousiño, in 1900.

It stretches along the south bank of the Mapocho river in the sectors between the Mapocho Station and Baquedano Plaza. It is decorated by sculptural monuments such as: the Naval Combat of Iquique, Aviation Martyrs, the Statue of Icaro and Dédalo, the Statue of Glory, Statue of Dios Pan, the Rubén Dario monument, The Independence writers monument and the German Fountain monument. Moreover, the park hosts the national Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum and the American Popular Art Museum.

The paths in the park are curved and surrounded by an enormous variety of trees in such a distinct way that it is rare to find two of the same species. The park has an extension covering 12 hectares.

THE SCULPTURES PARK

It is located at 2201 Santa Maria Avenue.

The park provides samples of sculptures in open air of famous national and international art prize winners. The sculptures are elaborated in metal, wood, fibers and other materials. There is also a show room permanently functioning.

Its privileged location, at the bank of the Mapocho river and the surrounding green areas, makes it an alternative for those who would like to enjoy culture and nature. The beautiful sunset gives a special shine to the sculptures provoking a new sensation while the sun goes down.

Visiting Hours: Monday to Firday from 09:00 to 18:00 hrs.

Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18: hrs.

THE METROPOLITAN PARK

It is located at 450 Pío Nono St.

It is the biggest park of the country. It has total superficies of 728 hectares. It includes the San Cristóbal, the Chacarillas, the Gemelos and the Pirámide hills.

The statue of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, 14 mts. high, lies at the summit of the San Crsitóbal hill. Among the attractions are: the Zoo, two swimming pools, a picnic zone, restaurants, children play ground zone, a chapel and the Botanical Garden. It can be visited by car, cable car or funicular.

THE SANTA LUCÍA HILL

The city of Santiago was built at the feet of this hill in 1541 by the Spaniard Conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. It was anciently called Huelén by the Araucanos. At present, it is a place to go for walks and has small plazas, site seeing areas and monuments.

COMMERCIAL CENTERS

It is located in Maipú, towards the west of Santiago, the Arauco Outlet mall offers 120 shops, restaurants and a playing ground for children.

Towards the east of Santiago, there are many shopping center such as: Panorámico Mall, Apumanque, Parque Arauco and Alto Las Condes, all of which offer services, entertainment and a verity of shops.

PLAZA DE ARMAS

It is located in the heart of Santiago where government, cultural and religious buildings are found around it. Its layout was done by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541.

A fortified area, for gunpowder storage, was built in its center by the Spaniards. There, they also carried out military exercises. That is why it was called Plaza de Armas or the Arms plaza.

It is considered the center of Santiago. It is also the geographical point from which measurements are taken towards any point in the country.

There are any many historical buildings surrounding the plaza such as: la Real Audencia, the house of the Governors of Chile ( now the Municipality of Santiago) and the Central Post Office respectively, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Portal Fernández Concha building.

The statue of Pedro de Valdivia, founder of Santiago, is situated at the north-east corner of the plaza. The statue represents the unity and dependence between the conqueror and his horse. It was donated by the resident Hispanic community in 1960 at the anniversary of the 150 years of the Independence of Chile.

Also, and in front of the Cathedral, stands out a monument in honor of Cardinal José María Caro, the first Chilean cardinal. And in the center, there is a marble monument of a head, named " for the Liberty of America" where some episodes illustrate the struggle of the Latin American countries for their independence.

The " Indigenous People" monument, inaugurated in 1992, is located at the south –west corner of the plaza. It pays homage to our ancestors.

THE CONSTITUTION PLAZA

It is situated in front of the main entrance of the government palace, La Moneda, and it is surrounded by other buildings in what is called the Civic Quarter of Santiago. One can watch the Change of Guard activities carried out by the Chilean Police force every two days.

T the north side, one can see the monuments in honor of the presidents of Chile such as: Jorge Alessandri Rodriguez and Eduardo Frei Montalba.

THE MULATO GIL DE CASTRO PLAZA

It is located at 305-307 José Victorino Lastarria St.

It is a small gathering of houses that form an interesting and harmonic cultural and artistic center. It was designed in 1982 by the architects Ignacio Cruz and Walter Biggerman who remodeled the houses that belong to the 19^th century.

It has art schools and workshops for painting and sculpture, ceramic carvings, books, show rooms, theaters and restaurants all of which give a life and movement to the area. Moreover, there is the Archeological Museum of Santiago which contains archeological, anthropological and pre-Colombian Chilean art samples.

THE BELLAVISTA QUARTER

It is located at the north side of the Mapocho river and at the feet of the San Cristobál hill.

A painteresque quarter that has transformed into Santiago’s Bohemian sector. It offers good art galleries, cafés, theaters and restaurants. The most busy days are Fridays and Saturdays which becomes crowded from 22:00 hrs.

There are theatres, concert Cafés and art galleries. We recommend that you would reserve with anticipation for any entry to spectacles and restaurants.

Part of the pleasant aspect of the visit to this quarter consists of talking walks among other people who also stay till late night hours observing the artisan articles exposed on colorful cloths on the ground.

THE HIPPODROME CLUB

It is located at 2540 Blanca Encalada St.

It was inaugurated in 1870. Its covers a 78 hectares area. The building was a piece of art done by the architect Josué Smith. The building has a clear French baroque influence with promenades, gardens, terraces and stairs.

The estate is ornamented by the Andes mountains. The classic races are run six Sundays a year.

THE QUINTA NORMAL PARK

It is located at 520 Matucana Street.

For those who like sports, the Qunita Normal offers: Tennis courts, Football fields, Roller Skating areas, a lagoon with rowing boats, toys for children, avenues for strolling and biking.

Moreover, you can finish the day by visiting the existing museums that provide an important and attractive cultural aspect. They are: the national Museum for Natural history, the Science and Technology Museum, the Railway Park Museum and the Children Museum.

This public park was founded in 1830 and created with the purpose of reproducing foreign and alien species in an area extending to 40 hectares. It is planted with Pine, Hazel, Egg fruit and Poplar trees among others.

It is a very frequented place especially during the weekends where it receives hundreds of families, athletes and lovers. At present, it is administered by the Municipality of Santiago and is in excellent conserved condition.

THE PLANETARIUM

It is located at 3349 Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins Avenue.

It is an audio-visual center with a semi-spherical screen that simulates the vault of heavens where the stars and space show is projected. The room has a capacity for 298 people. It also has show rooms, a cafeteria and souvenir shops.

TALAGANTE

It is located at 43 km. south-east of Santiago.

In the past, it was a living place for the indigenous people. Now, it is recognized for its artisan articles in small ceramic figures of animals and humans representing local customs.

Among its attractions is the Undurraga Winery that has old warehouses hermetically constructed with brick dating to 1885.

MELIPILLA

It is located at 67 km. west of Santiago.

A important agricultural city where farmers of the zone sell their products.

It is one of the main providers of horticultural products for the Capital.

An ancient village founded in 1742 by Don José Manso de Velasco who named it " Villa de san José de Logroño", however it was later known by the name Melipilla, an indigenous name that means Square Place or Four Sides which, in turn, corresponds to the Physiognomy of the valley that is surrounded by limiting heights. At present, it is a prosperous and dynamic city, an influential center formed by many shops and estates.

It has an excellent exclusive access route from Santiago ( Ruta 78).

SAN BERNARDO

It is located at 25 km. south of Santiago.

It is the Capital of the province of Maipo. All along the Panamericana highway, one could see green houses, pet farms and artisan shops that sell articles made of wicker, stone and clay. In January, there is a Folklore festival held in this locality.

COLINA

It is located at 32 km. north of Santiago.

It is a village totally dedicated to agriculture. In the past it was inhabited by a colony of the Inca civilization of Peru.

Here, the Spas of Colina stand out as the man attraction and is situated at 909 m. above sea level.

PUENTE ALTO

It is located at 22 km. south of Santiago.

Its surrounding areas form the point of interest with place like the Pirque locality and the Clarillo river national Reservation.