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Across Alameda from Palacio de La Moneda in Santiago, Chile, is Plaza Bulnes. It’s easily noticeable thanks to the massive Chilean flag that flies there.
The plaza was a center of controversy for years beginning in 1975, when Augusto Pinochet placed the Eternal Flame of Liberty there. Many people tried to put out the flame but it wasn’t permanently extinguished until 2005 during renovations.
Monuments
A few monuments are located in the plaza. One of them depicts Manuel Bulnes, a Chilean military leader and two time president of Chile, on his horse.
Tomb of Bernardo O’Higgins
The tomb of Bernardo O’Higgins, one of the founding fathers of Chile, is located at the plaza. His remains were moved there by Pinochet in 1979. Unfortunately, the tomb was closed for renovation during my visits.
Paseo Bulnes
The plaza turns into a pedestrian street that runs for several blocks, Paseo Bulnes. It’s lined with cafés and restaurants. It was developed in 1939 with the purpose of creating a government district around La Moneda.
Military Ceremony
On the day of my visit to Palacio de La Moneda, I was able to watch a military ceremony for the raising of the Chilean flag. There were soldiers from different branches of the military as well as carabineros.
Some police vehicles were also on display.
