Plaza Sotomayor (Sotomayor Square), Valparaiso

Plaza Sotomayor (Sotomayor Square), Valparaiso (must see)

Plaza Sotomayor holds a significant place as the city's most vital civic square. Originally known as(Customs Square, it underwent various names like Palace Square and later Intendancy Square. Named after Rafael Sotomayor, the square is flanked by buildings that occupy entire block-fronts along its surrounding streets. The central focus of the square is a monument dedicated to the Chilean sailors who bravely fought in the Battle of Iquique and the Battle of Punta Gruesa. The entire plaza and the adjacent buildings were designated a Zona T铆pica (historic district) on January 23, 1979.

Two similar towers at the northeastern side of the square create a distinctive gateway from the city to the port. On the opposite side stands the building that once housed the Intendencia de Valpara铆so, now serving as the headquarters of the Chilean Navy. Other notable structures facing the plaza include the CSAV building and the National Council of Culture and the Arts.

In 1873, Valpara铆so saw the construction of its first sculpture, commemorating the Scottish seaman Lord Thomas Cochrane.

The square underwent a significant transformation in 2000 when the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development initiated a remodeling project, overseen by architect Harken Jensen. This project included the establishment of subterranean parking lots and the inauguration of a museum due to archaeological findings on-site. Subsequently, in 2004, the square's design extended to the Prat Wharf, transforming it into a scenic walkway and embarkation point for crossing the roadstead of Valpara铆so from the sea. The Prat Wharf features a replica of the Santiaguillo, a small sailing boat representing the first Spanish vessel to dock in the bay known as Quintil.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Valparaiso. 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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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Plaza Sotomayor (Sotomayor Square)
Sight Location: Valparaiso, Chile (See walking tours in Valparaiso)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Valparaiso Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Valparaiso, Chile

Create Your Own Walk in Valparaiso

Creating your own self-guided walk in Valparaiso 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.

Valparaiso Introduction Walking Tour

Nestled along the picturesque Bay of Valpara铆so on the coastline of central Chile, Valpara铆so (or Valpo to the locals) is a vibrant city steeped in history that captivates visitors with its unique allure. The story of Valpara铆so is as diverse as its colorful streets. It begins with the Picunche natives, who were the first ethnically identifiable inhabitants of the region.

In 1536, Spanish... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

Street Art Walking Tour

The beautiful, vulnerable, bustling hillside port of Valpara铆so is known primarily for its susceptibility to earthquakes and as being one of the homes of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. More recently, though, the city has also gained recognition as a global street art hotspot famed for its colorful and expressive murals.

These exquisite wall paintings flourish virtually everywhere, attracting... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

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