Santiago, Chile: A Birdseye View

Santiago is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll notice this as soon as your plane touches the airport. This amazing city is nestled between two mountain ranges and looks like an emerald jewel set against a backdrop of the deep blue sea.

RICH HISTORY OF SANTIAGO

The capital has a rich history of pre-colonial, Spanish, Republican, and Military periods. This is known as the National Historical Patrimony of Chile.

Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia as “Santiago de Nueva Extremadura.” The name honors Saint James, the patron saint of Spain. After Chile’s independence from Spain, it was declared a province and then capital city by President José Joaquín Prieto on December 11, 1826.

SANTIAGO: A CITY OF CONTRASTS

Chile’s capital, Santiago, is home to beautiful architecture, a fascinating history, magnificent natural scenery, and a vibrant economy. It is home to striking remnants of its colonial past and ultramodern, tall structures.

Be Transported in the Past

With its winding streets and colorful buildings, Old vs. New, Santiago’s old town (Casco Histórico) is like taking a step back in time. Just outside this area lies Parque Forestal — an excellent place to relax with friends or enjoy a picnic lunch — and then there’s Cerro San Cristóbal with its sweeping views of the city below and the Andes beyond.

The Plaza de Armas (also known as Plaza de la Constitución) is the heart of Santiago’s historic center.

It is where you’ll find most of the city’s major attractions: 

Palacio de La Moneda 

Palacio Municipal (City Hall)

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Church of Our Lady of Carmel)

Teatro Municipal Cervantes (Cervantes Theater)

Living in the Present

The city has recently seen an explosion of high-rise buildings: these structures houses modern art galleries, restaurants, and shopping centers. The facilities are often brightly colored or have unique architectural features that make them stand out among the rest of Santiago’s skyline.

 

 

TASTE OF CHILE

Chileans love to eat, and they love to eat well.

Here are some of the most popular dishes you’ll find in Santiago:

Pastel de Choclo

The most well-known meal in Chile is based on a somewhat sweet maize variety known as choclo. Even though there are numerous variations of this dish, the most common one includes ground beef, onions, a piece of chicken, hard-boiled eggs split into quarters, and a few black olives. Most people add sugar on top to give it a crust and serve it with fresh tomato salad as a side – and a glass of Chilean red wine like a Carménère.

 

Pastel de Jaiba

Jaiba, a native crab, is used in this crab casserole along with a thick sauce made of cream, white wine, butter, garlic, onions, and a few spices. Chileans don’t hesitate to include copious amounts of crab in their recipes, but some more straightforward variations also use fish stock.

Caldillo de Congrio

Another stew is called caldillo de congrio, but this one is created with congrio, which is diced and simmered in water. Onions, garlic, laurel, tomatoes, carrots, and some white wine are then combined with the broth formed throughout the cooking process. Sometimes potatoes and bell peppers are also included.

Caldillo de congrio, a recipe that has become well-known, was a favorite food of Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Neruda even penned a whole poem about the dish.

 

VIBRANT ART SCENE IN SANTIAGO, CHILE

The art scene in Santiago, Chile, is vibrant and diverse. The city’s museums feature modern art, historical paintings and murals, and sculptures that capture the essence of the country’s history.

The Museo de Bellas Artes is one of the most famous museums in Chile. It houses a collection of paintings by some of the greatest names in modern art, including Pablo Neruda, a poet, and politician. The museum also has a sculpture garden with works by other famous artists.

The Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino is dedicated to preserving ancient artifacts from pre-Columbian civilizations. It displays pieces from cultures like the Mapuches and Incas, who lived in Chile before Spanish colonization began in 1541. These artifacts include pottery bowls made by hand using complex techniques passed down through generations until today.

For murals, visit La Vega District—more than 70 murals are located throughout this area.

 

 

YOUR HOME IN SANTIAGO

Mandarin Oriental, Santiago

Santiago’s Mandarin Oriental. Visitors can easily access Chile’s renowned wines, skiing, and the Atacama Desert thanks to the hotel’s convenient location at the foot of the Andes Mountains in the upscale Las Condes area. The hotel offers unique culinary options, gorgeous gardens, and plentiful amenities and is prepared to host visitors worldwide.

This hotel is well situated near Parque Arauco, one of Santiago’s most important shopping centers, for individuals who enjoy shopping.

 

 

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