La Chascona (Pablo Neruda House), Santiago (must see)
La Chascona, the home of Pablo Neruda, a celebrated Chilean poet, was built in 1953. Neruda and his future wife had used this property as a romantic getaway for years before they actually tied the knot. The house is located at Bellavista, at the foot of San Cristobal Hill.
It features a unique style, with one of its most outstanding features being the library with a wide collection of paintings from Chile and around the world, as well as the books that once belonged to the poet.
Replete with winding stairs, paths and bridges, La Chascona has a secret passageway and a bedroom at the top of the tower. Various collections of seashells, butterflies, wine glasses and many other different objects allow visitors a glimpse of romantic inspiration that was responsible for Neruda's poetic creations. Today the building is a house-museum and is open to public year round.
The property was vandalized after the coup of 1973 that overthrew president Salvador Allende, but Matilde, Pablo Neruda's wife, did her best to preserve the property and lived here until she passed away in 1985.
Why You Should Visit:
Very interesting mix of architecture and history of Neruda's life that will not leave you disappointed. The house itself can be both elegant and flamboyant at the same time, reflecting Neruda's unique tastes in furnishing and design. Besides, you get an interesting look not only at a brilliant creative human being but also a general overview of the 20th century with a little Communism, Socialism, gender equality, machismo, dictatorships and human rights all part and parcel...
Tip:
Take the tour with an audio device, as it is really essential for understanding the layout. Also, make sure to see the short movie before embarking on the tour 鈥� you won't be able to see it after.
It features a unique style, with one of its most outstanding features being the library with a wide collection of paintings from Chile and around the world, as well as the books that once belonged to the poet.
Replete with winding stairs, paths and bridges, La Chascona has a secret passageway and a bedroom at the top of the tower. Various collections of seashells, butterflies, wine glasses and many other different objects allow visitors a glimpse of romantic inspiration that was responsible for Neruda's poetic creations. Today the building is a house-museum and is open to public year round.
The property was vandalized after the coup of 1973 that overthrew president Salvador Allende, but Matilde, Pablo Neruda's wife, did her best to preserve the property and lived here until she passed away in 1985.
Why You Should Visit:
Very interesting mix of architecture and history of Neruda's life that will not leave you disappointed. The house itself can be both elegant and flamboyant at the same time, reflecting Neruda's unique tastes in furnishing and design. Besides, you get an interesting look not only at a brilliant creative human being but also a general overview of the 20th century with a little Communism, Socialism, gender equality, machismo, dictatorships and human rights all part and parcel...
Tip:
Take the tour with an audio device, as it is really essential for understanding the layout. Also, make sure to see the short movie before embarking on the tour 鈥� you won't be able to see it after.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santiago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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La Chascona (Pablo Neruda House) on Map
Sight Name: La Chascona (Pablo Neruda House)
Sight Location: Santiago, Chile (See walking tours in Santiago)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Santiago, Chile (See walking tours in Santiago)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Santiago, Chile
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Santiago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Santiago is the political, financial, and cultural center of Chile. The capital city was founded on Santa Lucia Hill in 1541 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. Surrounded by the snow-capped Andes, Santiago offers history, gorgeous architecture, world-class museums, and fabulous markets.
Start your trip from Santa Lucia Hill which has one of the best views of Santiago and the Andes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Start your trip from Santa Lucia Hill which has one of the best views of Santiago and the Andes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Recoleta Walking Tour
Established under the rule of Pinochet, Recoleta is perhaps the most famous of all the Santiago communes. It is undeniably one of Chile鈥檚 most multicultural places, replete with historic and architectural attractions: churches, parks and more.
The Franciscan Church and Convent of Recoleta 鈥� built in 1843, this Neoclassical complex with Tuscan influence was declared a National Monument in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The Franciscan Church and Convent of Recoleta 鈥� built in 1843, this Neoclassical complex with Tuscan influence was declared a National Monument in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
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Santiago is a busy, walkable city, with a fairly compact downtown bursting with exciting places to dine and shop. In recent years, Chile's affluence has prompted many international retailers to open their stores in the country's capital. Here you can shop practically for everything: from food to clothing to gifts and beyond, much as your bank account allows you.
The pedestrian zones... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
The pedestrian zones... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Bellavista Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical Churches and Cathedrals
For a country relatively small in terms of population, Chile is quite rich in two things: coastline and churches. Thanks to the Spanish founders of the Chilean capital, the majority of Santiago鈥檚 temples are Catholic. Given that most of them are conveniently located in the downtown area, checking out these historic religious sites doesn鈥檛 take too much time.
The San Francisco Church 鈥�... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The San Francisco Church 鈥�... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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