Acquaintance with the capital of Chile Santiago is best to start with the Basilica del Salvador. It was built in 1892 in the style of neo-gothic. Today it is perhaps the main attraction, the so-called Brazilian district of the city. Unfortunately, today basilica is almost always closed for visiting. It is discovered, as a rule, only for special solemn cases. Not so long ago, this terrain - the Brazilian quarter thundered to the entire capital with his bohemian life. It was here that "Golden" city youth was gathered. In the very center of Brazil Square towers a giant araucaria. In this area, you can not only get acquainted with an interesting tourist object, but also have a snack in one of the cafes located next to the historical structure.
Next, go to the Constitution Square in the center of Santiago. It is here that one of the business cards of the city is the Palace of La Monda. This masterpiece of architectural art takes essentially one of the quarters of the city and today acts as the official residence of the president of the country. Also in this building hosts the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as the Presidential Secretariat and the Cabinet of Ministers. In a literal translation from Spanish, the name of the palace means "coin". It received it due to the fact that the Chilean Mint and Money Courtyard was located here and money was minted for the whole country. Palace was built for quite a long time, about 20 years. So much monumental was a construction. Architect from Italy Hoakin Tesca led the construction work. The residence of President La Monda Palace became in the middle of the 19th century, but until 1929, the coin coinage continued here. In 1973, when the Chilean coup was committed, the palace was subjected to bombardment and seriously suffered. In 1981, he was fully restored, and under the building of the palace, a real presidential bunker was built. A visit to the tourists of this palace has become possible since 2003.
The next object for acquaintance with the capital Chile is the Cathedral of Santiago de Chile, which is located on the main square of the State of the State - Plaza de Armaas. Perhaps this is the main Catholic shrine of the whole country. Today the Cathedral is the residence of the Archbishop and is an organic part of the architectural ensemble, where the Bishop Palace is also included in addition to the cathedral itself. This cathedral is considered to be a National Monument of Chile since 1951. The cathedral is built in the traditions of the Baroque style, and its construction dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary continued, more than half a century. Construction work began here in 1748 by the famous architect Antonio Akun. The construction was completed only in 1800. It was during this period that the last bell tower of the cathedral were added. In 2006, a complete reconstruction was carried out in the cathedral. The chief altar was recreated, the walls are completely repaired, as well as the crypts of the Saints - Jose Thomas Ovalyevo and Diego Portales. Required when visiting the Cathedral, pay attention to its carved wooden departments of the 19th century, as well as the organ. They were created in the workshop of the famous Masters of Calera de Tango in the middle of the 18th century. Here you can visit today on the sacred liturgy, or just touch the history of Chile's great personalities, as well as young heroes who fell in the battle of La Concepcion.
Want to buy products of folk crafts as souvenirs - go to the Mercado market, which is located in the very center of the Cylla's capital. It was equipped at this place in 1868 and replaced the old building destroyed by the 1864 fire. Today, the market building is perhaps one of the most interesting examples of the construction of metal structures dated from the 19th century. The basis of this building is the design of pig-iron columns, which are crowned with a cast-iron roof of the original shape. Around the frame was previously erected massive brick walls, which formed the facade. The feature of the building is its multi-stage roof. In her center there is a turret, crowned with a spire. Today, the silhouette of the Mercado market is one of the most recognizable symbols of Santiago. Today, here you will find not only the market itself, but also numerous shops, restaurants and cafes. Local residents love to spend their weekend here, and tourists come for a variety of delicious and inexpensive food and indescribable local atmosphere.
Tourists attracts the attention of tourists and one of the vertices of the city of Santiago - San Cristobal mountain. This is one of the most beloved places of resting citizens, ideal for walking. Around the mountain is the city park Metropolitano. San Cristobal height is 860 meters. At the very peak is the famous statue of the Virgin Mary, who is considered the local patroness. There is here and the observation deck, and in the park - a large botanical garden, a zoo and even the museum of wines. At the foot of the mountain is the Museum of Pablo Neruda of the famous Chilean writer, the Nobel Prize laureate. You can climb the mountain as on the car and on the local funicular.
By the way, if you wish, you can visit the house-museum Pablo Neruda. He was built in the middle of the last century the well-known Chilean poet and a diplomat, who lived here for twenty years with his beloved wife Matilda Uritia. For its extraordinary creativity in 1971, Pablo Neruda was awarded the global recognition and the Nobel Prize in literature. His house, located literally at the foot of San Cristobal, is permeated by the spirit of the poet, who invested in his creation really part of his soul. He personally came up with the concept of many buildings of the building and improved some objects of unique furniture and interior. Much here is filled with the spirit of the sea, which he loved to write very much and melted in his works. In the House-Museum Today you will see expositions where household objects are collected, collection of various paintings and books. To date, this museum is one of the most visited in Santiago. I can definitely say that this place will be interesting not only to fans of the writer's creativity, but also those who first hear here about this legendary man.
