Thing to do
Mercado Central de Santiago
Santiago's 1872 iron-roofed market hall, made in Glasgow, where fishmongers and seafood restaurants serve paila marina, mariscal and fried fish.
Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral (GAM)
A performing arts centre on the Alameda, built in 1972 for a UN conference and reopened in 2010, staging contemporary theatre, dance, music and exhibitions.
At a glance
- Type
- Performing arts centre
- Area
- Lastarria, Santiago, Chile
- Official site
- gam.cl
Good to know
- Theatre
- Dance
- Music
- Exhibitions
Why we recommend it
The Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral, known as GAM, is a major venue for contemporary theatre, dance and music, and its building tells a large part of the city's twentieth-century story. It stands on the Alameda at number 227 and is named after Gabriela Mistral.
The complex was built to host the third UNCTAD conference, held in Santiago in 1972. Construction took only 275 days, with support from several thousand volunteers. After the conference it served as a cultural centre, but after the 1973 military coup it became known as the Diego Portales Building, and the adjoining tower became the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defence. A fire in early 2006 damaged part of the building, after which the Bachelet government decided to return it to cultural use. The restored centre was inaugurated in September 2010.
Today GAM programmes a wide range of contemporary drama, dance and music, alongside visual arts exhibitions. Much of the theatre is in Spanish, but dance, music and the exhibitions need no translation. Check the listings before you go, as events change frequently, and book ahead for popular shows.
Even without a ticket, the exhibitions make the building worth a visit, and knowing its history from UNCTAD to the dictatorship gives it extra weight; it pairs well with a visit to the Museum of Memory and Human Rights. The cafés and restaurants of Barrio Lastarria are close by, so you can easily combine a performance with dinner.
GAM is a short walk from Cerro Santa Lucía and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. The metro stations serving the area are Universidad Católica on Line 1 and Baquedano. Allow an hour to look around the building and any exhibitions, or an evening for a show. Before booking, check whether a performance is suitable for children and whether it is in Spanish only, and arrive in good time to collect tickets. The exhibitions are also a useful option on a rainy or very hot day. It suits culture lovers and travellers who want to see what Chile's contemporary artists are making, rather than just its historic sights.
Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral (GAM) FAQs
What is GAM?
The Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral, a performing arts centre on the Alameda for contemporary theatre, dance, music and exhibitions.
Why was the building built?
To host the third UNCTAD conference in Santiago in 1972; it was built in 275 days.
What was it called before?
After the 1973 coup it was known as the Diego Portales Building.
When did it reopen as a cultural centre?
The restored centre was inaugurated in September 2010.
Are shows in Spanish?
Most theatre is in Spanish, but dance, music and exhibitions are accessible to all visitors.
Where is it?
At Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 227, on the Alameda.
Which metro stations serve the area?
Universidad Católica on Line 1 and Baquedano.
Do I need to book?
Yes for popular shows; check the programme in advance.