Last updated on December 20, 2023.

Plaza de Armas is the heart of historic Santiago and one of the best places to understand the history of the city. The plaza is a huge open square with a fountain in the center, filled with trees and benches, and surrounded by some very important historic buildings.

Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Plaza de Armas

 

Metropolitan Cathedral

Let’s start with the most important building, the Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana). It was built in 1775 and the fifth church to be built on the site. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Chile. The Santiago Archbishop’s Palace (Palacio Arzobispal de Santiago), the main offices of the Archbishop, are next to the cathedral. The Museum of Sacred Art (Museo de Arte Sagrado) is accessed from inside the cathedral.

Catedral Metropolitana on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Metropolitan Cathedral
Catedral Metropolitana on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Above the entrance to the Metropolitan Cathedral
Palacio Arzobispal de Santiago on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Santiago Archbishop’s Palace

I wasn’t expecting much on the inside, but it is massive and rivals some of the cathedrals I’ve seen in Europe. That’s not a surprise because the design was conceived by Bavarian Jesuits. I was very impressed.

Catedral Metropolitana on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Interior of the Metropolitan Cathedral
Catedral Metropolitana on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Pulpit of the Metropolitan Cathedral
Catedral Metropolitana on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Metropolitan Cathedral

One important section of the cathedral is the altar of Santa Teresa de los Andes, Chile’s first saint.

Altar of Santa Teresa de los Andes at Catedral Metropolitana on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Altar of Santa Teresa de los Andes

 

Central Post Office

On the northwest corner is the Central Post Office (Correo Central), the main branch of the Chilean Post Office. It wasn’t originally built as a post office. It was actually the first house of Santiago’s founder, Pedro de Valdivia, and later served as the presidential palace from 1817-1846.

Correo Central on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Central Post Office

 

Royal Court Palace

The yellow building with the clock tower is the Royal Court Palace (Palacio de la Real Audiencia). It was built in 1808 and housed Chile’s first National Congress. It was also the location of the offices of Chile’s liberator and first president, Bernardo O’Higgins.

Palacio de la Real Audiencia on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Royal Court Palace
Palacio de la Real Audiencia on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Tower of the Royal Court Palace
Palacio de la Real Audiencia on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Courtyard of the Royal Court Palace
Palacio de la Real Audiencia on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Courtyard of the Royal Court Palace

The Royal Court Palace doesn’t serves as a government building anymore. It’s now the National Historical Museum (Museo Histórico Nacional), which is worth a visit. Everything is in Spanish, but there are some very interesting artifacts from Chilean history inside. Admission is free.

Museo Histórico Nacional at Palacio de la Real Audiencia on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
National Historical Museum

The best part of visiting the museum is the chance to climb up the bell tower for a bird’s eye view of Plaza de Armas. The tour is given in Spanish with stops at every level, but even if you don’t understand Spanish, an amazing view can speak any language.

View from the bell tower at Palacio de la Real Audiencia on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
View from the bell tower
View from the bell tower at Palacio de la Real Audiencia on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Looking at the cathedral from the bell tower
View from the bell tower on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Looking at the courtyard from the bell tower

 

City Hall

The building on the northeast corner is the Municipality of Santiago (Municipalidad de Santiago), built in 1785. It still functions as the city hall and is closed to the public.

Municipalidad de Santiago on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Municipality of Santiago

 

Casa Colorada

On the southeast corner of the plaza on Merced is a very historic building. Casa Colorada, one of the few remaining colonial buildings in Santiago, was built in 1770 for Don Mateo de Toro Zambrano, a Spanish Royal Governor. Inside is the Museum of Santiago (Museo de Santiago). It was temporarily closed for renovations during my visit.

Casa Colorada in Santiago de Chile
Casa Colorada
Casa Colorada in Santiago de Chile
Casa Colorada

 

Portal Fernández Concha

On the south side of Plaza de Armas is Portal Fernández Concha. The ground floor corridor nearest the plaza is jam packed with cheap fast food stalls and restaurants serving Chilean specialties. It’s a great place to experience a quick meal Chilean-style at an amazing price.

Portal Fernández Concha on Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile
Portal Fernández Concha

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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