Presidential Palace (Chile)


A magnificent building on the Constitution Square in Santiago immediately attracts attention by the severity of the forms and lines. The Presidential Palace is considered the only building in the purely Italian style of neoclassicism in the architecture of South America. For over a hundred years, the building was used as a mint, resulting in an informal name - "La Moneda" ("coin"). Now the palace houses the presidential residence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the secretaries of the government and the president.

History of the palace

The construction of the palace began on the project of the Italian architect Joaquin Toueski in 1784. After 16 years, the Spanish colonial administration solemnly opened a new building and immediately adapted it for state needs. Now that there was a mint in the building earlier, it only reminds its name. On the walls of the building you can see traces of bullets, which, like the scars on the body, recall the sad event in the history of Chile - the military coup that occurred on September 11, 1973. On that day, the whole world saw on the television screens captured by the putschists the presidential palace and its new master, General Augusto Pinochet. Staying at the height of his glory, Pinochet still felt the precariousness of his situation and took care of the safety of his family and immediate environment, building under the palace an underground office complex - a bunker.

In 2003, President Riccardo Lagos opened the palace for tourists. Before the palace, a square appeared on which a cultural center, a monument to President Arturo Alessandri was erected and a fountain was opened, on the other side, opposite the Ministry of Justice, a monument to Salvador Allend, who perished during the coup, was erected.

What to see in the palace?

Changing the guard, taking place every day - a wonderful sight! The tradition is more than 150 years old and looks impressive: carabinieri and horse guards for the orchestra march through the square. Excursions to the palace are free and conducted in several languages, but it is better to order in seven days. Also in the palace building is a cultural center, which hosts exhibitions dedicated to Chilean culture and history.

How to get there?

The Presidential Palace is located in the very center of the capital, between Constitution Square and Freedom Square. Stop "La Moneda", just 4 stops from the central station.