Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas in Santiago, the capital of Chile—also transliterated as Plaza de Armas or Arms Square—is the religious, political, economic, and cultural heart of the nation, representing the soul and core of Santiago. It is a must-visit attraction for any tourist.

In the center of the square stands a bronze statue of Pedro de Valdivia, a gift presented to the Chilean government by the Spanish in 1960 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Chile's independence. To the west of the square is the grandest and most imposing cathedral in all of Chile, while to the north are the National Post Office, the Museum of History, and the Santiago Municipal Government Building—landmark structures of Santiago. The Santiago Municipal Government Building was originally the city hall and prison during the founding period of Santiago. In the second half of the 18th century, it was rebuilt in the neoclassical style, but was destroyed by fire in 1891. Between 1892 and 1895, it was reconstructed on the same site, becoming the seat of the Santiago municipal government for the first time. The Santiago Central Post Office was initially built as the first residence in Santiago, serving as the private home of Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. In 1882, it was redesigned by architect Ricardo Brown into a neoclassical-style building—the predecessor of the current Central Post Office. The square often hosts vibrant performances by folk artists, including singing, dancing, music, and stand-up comedy.

Plaza de Armas (Santiago)

Must-visit reason: The most influential square in Santiago

Continent: South America 【South America】

Country/Region: Chile [Chile]

Province/State: Santiago Metropolitan Region [Santiago Metropolitan Region]

City: Santiago [Santiago]