Santiago Walking City Tour

Next to the Subway station of the same name, "Bellas Artes", there is a coffee, beer and conversation area, a "barrio" we call it, with the same name. Also, the public Museo de Bellas Artes next to it is the inspirational denomination for it. If it's not Monday, between 10 AM and 6 PM we are most likely to be admitted, as long as there is no strike or maintenance duties, in such case we can only admire its architecture from outside and the layout of the premises around it. Among signs of a lively city we can begin (or continue) our conversation about how is it to live by it nowadays, the year before, and what was the origin of the place and how it has endure the recent years. The guide must share some insight about it and then listen attentively to the questions, comments and thoughts of our visitor(s) about their own related urban experience and how they picture it from their own perspective. Then we continue conversation, as we friendly walk on.

Unless is Monday (when it's regularly closed) we can enter to the public park Cerro Santa Lucía by the north entrance. It's a small green lung in the middle of downtown where, as if a magic spell was cast upon, the city noise almost goes away and you can enjoy the beauty of green and oxygen as you carry on conversation. Be careful not to over-demand yourself, we can take it to the main terrace or keep going until the top of the tower so some fitness is required! Depending on the point of observation we can admire up close a portion of our city. There is no whole view angle of it from here, but that's precisely the point to find our own point of interest in this "little jungle" we have created for amusement of visitors and locals. Be aware of the uneven trails in the terrain, after all, you are walking on a rock. Visitors will be able to make pictures, check lookout points and share insight on historic and current activities placed in the city.

Through the honking of cars and the noise of undistinguished conversation we make it into the Constitution Square, north of the Civic box and The City, it is the heart of the public administration of our country: Palacio de la Moneda, Palacio de Gobierno. Built in order to be the mint house, was inaugurated in 1804, few years before the chilean colony began its emancipation process to become a nation of its own. Built with a mixture of techniques it was a proper school of handicraft led by roman architect Joaquín Toesca, who arrived in the colonial Santiago in 1780 with the mission to complete this construction task, he never saw it finished. A number of presidential statues surround the square adding each a piece to a chapter of our government history. The coup d'etat in 1973, took place here and the reminding of it, plus other historic tokens in place, sets the tone for insight about human rights, civic duty and our hopes and expectations for the future.

In the former facility of the newspaper "El Mercurio", there is a commercial gallery that was inaugurated in 2012 and contains the entrepreneurial side of Santiago. Also a nice stop for bathroom and a classic story of construction, architecture and social life prior to the republican life and the history of the conservative Larraín and Edwards family, still relevant to the country public and private life. It's an appropriate bathroom stop and to have some coffee perhaps.

Before of an ample space dominated by flat water fountains and the statue of President Manuel Montt and Antonio Varas lays the impressive mass of the Supreme Court of Justice, immovable and controversial, we will usually find some lone (or not so lone) demonstrator at its gates, proving that justice, as blind, rarely feels "just" to all parties involved. And in front of it, where in another time a temple enjoyed worship and suffered tragedy, currently another republican institution holds it's facility and not exempt from controversy: it is the former National Congress, closed down after the cup d'etat in 1973. Today relevant meeting take place at this location where, in spite of being a public place we are not always allowed entrance. The guide shall share insight about the composition of our republic, the three powers of the state and our current public affairs under their view. No intention to convince anyone of anything here, but to share useful information por personal analysis.

Mid XViii to XiX centuries was the span of its construction and after nearly six hundred chilean pesos of the time (a lot more than today I can assure you) there was a first version of the current building, but not the first temple (at least there were two in place before, with entirely different design and structure), the current one has suffered modification after modification since its consecration until before the 1st world war. With services during de week and at the weekend its most likely to visit at noon. We can make pictures inside (unless indicated the contrary in certain spots), but please keep your voice quiet and turn off the flash from your cameras. Naturally we shouldn't enter eating or drinking. Many symbols are present at the House of God: kindness, martyrdom, patriotism and other concepts are in display for observation and meditation. The "Capilla del Santísimo Sacramento" and the "Parroquia el Sagrario" are important and sensitive part of the religious complex.

In February 12 of 1541 it was stablished the Main Square and the Governor house, Pedro de Valdivia, took place in its north west side... or at least such is the version we know. Regardless of the new perspectives of the true origin of the city, it is commonly agreed that the beginning of Santiago (and chilean civic life) is attached to the establishment of this square: empty, regular and open to maneuver all logistics related to the establishment of a Spanish colony: horses, weapons, carts, and fortress initially located here or near, then the church, viceroy office, the gallows, livestock rodeo, jail and city council, religious events and jousting sports in colonial times, early civic centre of the newly born republic in the early XiX century, has become a place of entertainment, commerce and tradition in the last couple ten years. Still, located at the heart of Santiago, for better or worse there is always something of interest going on. Let us picture it, admire it and move on.

Walking past street "Mosqueto" a block away from the start point of the tour we get to "Barrio Lastarria", where we shall find the one most interesting formal and informal cultural place Santiago has to offer: Among, bars and coffees, street vendors and performers, you might get lost at times if you don't keep a keen eye on where were you coming from. In any case, it is a colorful and noisy experience that you can always enjoy on your own, after the tour ends or any other time.