Santiago isn't a city that demands major sightseeing, and with most of its major tourist attractions located in the compact center, the city is best appreciated on foot. We began our day by visiting the Mercardo Central, which is located on the southern bank of the Rio Mapocho.
Mercardo Central
Built in 1872, the market's pale yellow exterior is a graceful example of neoclassical colonial architecture. However, once you go inside the market, the style changes to cast-iron Art Nouveau. The interior of the market looks more like a train station than a covered market.
The Fish Stalls
The highlight of the market is certainly visiting the many fish stalls. Bustling with activity, the stalls are packed with the bounty of the sea from the waters off the Chilean coast. You will certainly see fishmongers filleting their fish at lightning speed. The variety of fish is staggering: sea bass, eels, scallops, squid, salmon, king crabs, sea urchins, mussels, razor clams, octopus, oysters, and much, much more!
The Fruits of the Sea
Fishmongers with Big Fish
Scallops
Black and White and Fishy
Fish for Sale: A Scale of Scales
The Hustle and Bustle Video at Mercardo Central
Leaving the market, we made our way three blocks south to the Plaza de Armas, Santiago's lively central plaza which dates from the 1540's when Pedro de Valdivia founded the city. The Plaza de Armas is literally the center of Santiago and Chile: all distances to the rest of Chile are measured from here.
Plaza de Armas
Around the plaza are some of Santiago's greatest civic and religious buildings. The National History Museum is located within the splendid Palacio de la Real Audiencia, an immaculately preserved colonial building that was built between 1804 and 1807 to house the royal courts of justice. This building also served as the meeting place of Chile's first Congress, and it was the seat of government until 1846.
Palacio de la Real Audiencia
On the northwest corner of the Plaza de Armas is the Correo Central, which was built in 1882 on the foundations of what had been the governor's palace. While the elaborate facade is impressive, please be sure to go inside to see the tiered galleries crowned with an enormous glass roof. You can also mail your postcards from here, too. (After all, it is the central post office!)
Correo Central
Inside the Cathedral
An Ornate Silver Altar
Nearby the Plaza de Armas is the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, which is located in the old royal customs house. Please be sure to read my separate blog entry for more information on this amazing museum. The streets around this part of town have a mixture of old buildings mixed in with new contemporary architecture.
Old Architecture
A Contemporary Bridge in the Sky
The Old Commercial Bank Building
Four blocks away, to the southwest, from the Plaza de Armas is the Palacio de la Moneda. Built between 1784 and 1805, its original purpose was to house the royal mint. Between 1848 and 1958, the Palacio de la Moneda served as the residential palace for the presidents of Chile. Today it continues to be the official seat of government.
Chilean Flag with Government Seal
Palacio de la Moneda
In 2010, the country of Chile will be celebrating its bicentennial. During our visit, the country was in the process of primary elections for its next president. I was especially fond of one of the candidates who shares a name with this blog!
Bicentennial Coming in 2010
Marco for President
From the Palacio de la Moneda, we headed to the Cerro Santa Lucía, strolling along the Alameda, a poplar-lined avenue. Two of the most notable structures along the Alameda are the Torre Entel and Iglesia San Francisco. The Torre Entel is a television and communications tower with an observation deck open to visitors. The Iglesia San Francisco is the oldest building (and one of the prettiest buildings) in Santiago. It was built between 1586 and 1628 and it has survived three great earthquakes.
Torre Entel
The final stop on our stroll through Santiago was to visit Cerro Santa Lucía, the most imaginative and creative piece of landscaping in the city. At the foot of this hill, on February 12, 1541, Santiago was officially founded. It wasn't until 1872, that this barren, rocky outcrop got transformed into the grand public park it is today.
Cerro Santa Lucía
Neptune at Cerro Santa Lucía
The Neptune Fountain
Lush Landscaping
A View From Above
Looking Down at Neptune's Fountain
Near the top (but not the tippy top) of the hill, is an outdoor plaza. Here you'll find a traditional cannon, which is fired daily from the hill to signal that it is noon.
Cannon at Cerro Santa Lucía
Views of the Contemporary City Skyline
For one of the most rewarding views of Santiago, make your way to the very top of Cerro Santa Lucía. For fans of the TV show "The Amazing Race", you may recognize this locale as the second pit stop from season 7. From here you get a great 360 degree panoramic view of the city and the Andes mountains. This is a perfect way to conclude a whirlwind visit to the city of the Santiago!
One Last Flight of Steps
City Views
Final View of Marco's Magnificent South American Adventure
Correo Central
Tiered Galleries Inside the Correo Central
The Beautiful Glass Roof
Santiago's Catedral Metropolitana dominates the west side of the square. The cathedral's style is a mix between Neoclassical and Baroque. Completed in 1780, this is actually the fifth church to be built on this site. The first church was burnt just months after being built, and the other three were destroyed in earthquakes in 1552, 1647 and 1730.
Catedral Metropolitana
The City's Protector
The Beautiful Glass Roof
Santiago's Catedral Metropolitana dominates the west side of the square. The cathedral's style is a mix between Neoclassical and Baroque. Completed in 1780, this is actually the fifth church to be built on this site. The first church was burnt just months after being built, and the other three were destroyed in earthquakes in 1552, 1647 and 1730.
Catedral Metropolitana
The City's Protector
Inside the Cathedral
An Ornate Silver Altar
Nearby the Plaza de Armas is the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, which is located in the old royal customs house. Please be sure to read my separate blog entry for more information on this amazing museum. The streets around this part of town have a mixture of old buildings mixed in with new contemporary architecture.
Old Architecture
A Contemporary Bridge in the Sky
The Old Commercial Bank Building
Four blocks away, to the southwest, from the Plaza de Armas is the Palacio de la Moneda. Built between 1784 and 1805, its original purpose was to house the royal mint. Between 1848 and 1958, the Palacio de la Moneda served as the residential palace for the presidents of Chile. Today it continues to be the official seat of government.
Chilean Flag with Government Seal
Palacio de la Moneda
In 2010, the country of Chile will be celebrating its bicentennial. During our visit, the country was in the process of primary elections for its next president. I was especially fond of one of the candidates who shares a name with this blog!
Bicentennial Coming in 2010
Marco for President
From the Palacio de la Moneda, we headed to the Cerro Santa Lucía, strolling along the Alameda, a poplar-lined avenue. Two of the most notable structures along the Alameda are the Torre Entel and Iglesia San Francisco. The Torre Entel is a television and communications tower with an observation deck open to visitors. The Iglesia San Francisco is the oldest building (and one of the prettiest buildings) in Santiago. It was built between 1586 and 1628 and it has survived three great earthquakes.
Torre Entel
Iglesia San Francisco
The final stop on our stroll through Santiago was to visit Cerro Santa Lucía, the most imaginative and creative piece of landscaping in the city. At the foot of this hill, on February 12, 1541, Santiago was officially founded. It wasn't until 1872, that this barren, rocky outcrop got transformed into the grand public park it is today.
Cerro Santa Lucía
Steps Leading Up the Hill
Neptune at Cerro Santa Lucía
The Neptune Fountain
Lush Landscaping
A View From Above
Looking Down at Neptune's Fountain
Near the top (but not the tippy top) of the hill, is an outdoor plaza. Here you'll find a traditional cannon, which is fired daily from the hill to signal that it is noon.
Cannon at Cerro Santa Lucía
Views of the Contemporary City Skyline
For one of the most rewarding views of Santiago, make your way to the very top of Cerro Santa Lucía. For fans of the TV show "The Amazing Race", you may recognize this locale as the second pit stop from season 7. From here you get a great 360 degree panoramic view of the city and the Andes mountains. This is a perfect way to conclude a whirlwind visit to the city of the Santiago!
One Last Flight of Steps
City Views
Final View of Marco's Magnificent South American Adventure
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