Attraction
Cerro San Cristóbal (Parque Metropolitano)
Santiago's largest public park covers the slopes of San Cristóbal hill, with a 1925 funicular, a cable car, gardens, pools and a giant Virgin statue at…
Plaza de Armas
Santiago's founding square, laid out in 1541, framed by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the National History Museum and the city hall.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic main square
- Area
- Santiago Centro, Santiago, Chile
Good to know
- Free
- Metro station
- Free wifi
Why we recommend it
The Plaza de Armas is where Santiago began. Pedro de Valdivia founded the city on 12 February 1541, and the grid designed by Pedro de Gamboa that year placed this square at its centre. It is still the point from which distances are measured, and a ground plaque marks kilometre zero.
The square is framed by some of the most important buildings in the city. Around it are the Metropolitan Cathedral, with the Archbishop's Palace beside it; the Central Post Office, restored in 1881 and given a third floor and dome in 1903; the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, built between 1804 and 1807 and home to the National History Museum since 1982; and the city hall, rebuilt by Joaquín Toesca in neoclassical style in 1790 and again by Eugenio Joannon after an 1891 fire. Together the square and its surroundings were declared a protected heritage zone in December 1986.
In the gardens you will find an equestrian statue of Pedro de Valdivia, a statue of St James, a monument to indigenous peoples and, at the centre, a Carrara marble monument to Liberty by Francesco Orselino, which replaced a bronze fountain from 1671. A remodelling completed in December 2014 added more trees and green space, 160 LED lights, security cameras and free wifi, and park rangers now patrol around the clock. Among the less obvious features are a time capsule buried in the square and the kilometre zero plaque set into the ground.
The square opens onto the pedestrian streets of Paseo Ahumada and Paseo Puente on its western side and is busy through the day. As in any busy city centre, keep an eye on bags and phones in the crowds. The best way to enjoy it is as the starting point of a walk through the historic centre: go into the cathedral, visit the National History Museum, then continue to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, a block away, or to La Moneda.
Plaza de Armas metro station is directly under the square, which makes it an easy place to start your first day and get your bearings before exploring further. The National History Museum in the old Real Audiencia building is the obvious indoor visit from the square if the weather turns.
Plaza de Armas FAQs
When was the Plaza de Armas founded?
Santiago was founded by Pedro de Valdivia on 12 February 1541, with the square at the centre of the original grid.
What buildings surround the square?
The Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Palacio de la Real Audiencia (National History Museum) and the city hall.
Is it free to visit?
Yes, it is a public square open at all times.
How do I get there?
Plaza de Armas metro station is directly beneath the square.
What monuments are in the square?
An equestrian statue of Pedro de Valdivia, a monument to indigenous peoples, a statue of St James and a marble monument to Liberty.
Is there wifi?
Free wifi was installed during the 2014 remodelling.
Is it safe?
It has round-the-clock park rangers and cameras, but keep an eye on your belongings in the crowds.
What is nearby?
The Pre-Columbian Art Museum is a block away, and La Moneda and the rest of the historic centre are close by.