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Santiago · History

From Valdivia to the Centenary station

Santiago was born in 1541 as a grid of square blocks beside the Mapocho River and, century by century, became the capital of a republic. This route starts on the Alameda and heads north towards the river: you will see where Chile is governed, the house of the man who presided over the First Junta of 1810, the square where the city was laid out, and the iron and stone buildings with which Santiago celebrated its modernity.

  • 6 stops
  • 2.5 km
  • 2 h
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
North facade of La Moneda Palace seen from Plaza de la Constitución

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 Main Building of the University of ChileThe first grand building on the Alameda, raised for the university founded under Andrés Bello and scarred by a tragic day in 1938.
  2. 2 La Moneda PalaceBuilt to mint coins, it became the home of presidents, and on 11 September 1973 it was bombed from the air.
  3. 3 Casa ColoradaThe best-preserved colonial mansion in the centre, home of the count who presided over Chile's First Government Junta in 1810.
  4. 4 Plaza de ArmasThe spot where Pedro de Valdivia laid out Santiago in 1541, framed by the cathedral, the old Royal Audiencia and Chile's kilometre zero.
  5. 5 Central MarketAn iron hall cast in Scotland that has been feeding Santiago fish, shellfish and home cooking since 1872.
  6. 6 Mapocho StationThe railway station built for the Centenary, which now welcomes books, concerts and fairs instead of locomotives.

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Start with GPS

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Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

From Valdivia to the Centenary station

The founding city

The Plaza de Armas, laid out in 1541, and the colonial buildings around it.

Power and memory

La Moneda, from royal mint to seat of government and scene of the 1973 coup.

Iron and the Centenary

The Central Market and Mapocho Station, two landmarks of a modernising Santiago.

Keep exploring

More routes in Santiago

Back to Santiago
Mysteries & legendsSantiago of earthquakes, fire and memory MixedFrom Santa Lucía Hill to Neruda's house

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Santiago?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Santiago in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Santiago in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Santiago in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary