Last updated on December 18, 2023.

The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino), in the historic city center of Santiago, opened in 1981. The collection is among the best pre-Columbian art in the world and is definitely worth visiting.

 

The museum was founded by Chilean architect and art collector Sergio Larraín García-Moreno to display the collection he amassed over the course of nearly 50 years. With the support of the city government, he was able to secure the former Royal Customs House (Palacio Real de la Casa Aduana), built between 1805 and 1807, to house his collection.

 

Visiting the Museum

Admission for foreigners is CLP$10,000 (as of May 2023). It’s only a block from Plaza de Armas and is open daily except Mondays from 10am to 6pm.

Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino in Santiago de Chile
Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino in Santiago de Chile
Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino in Santiago de Chile
Courtyard

 

Collections

The collection is divided into the different regions of South and Central America, including Mesoamerica, Caribbean, Amazon, Central Andes, and Southern Andes. It contains over 3,000 artifacts representing almost 100 different groups of people and ranging over 10,000 years.

Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino in Santiago de Chile
Gallery
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino in Santiago de Chile
Statue

The biggest collection by far is the Andean textiles. Ceramics, metals, stone work, jewelry, and other items are also on display. Many of the cultures represented are virtually unknown to the public, but their legacy is nicely on display at this excellent museum.

Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino in Santiago de Chile
Stone statues
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino in Santiago de Chile
Stone relief
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino in Santiago de Chile
Textile
Author

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

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