PALACIO DE LA MONEDA

It is without doubt one of the most beautiful palaces on the continent and one of the country's most emblematic buildings. The current seat of government, the Palacio de la Moneda was built between 1784 and 1805 for the Ministry of Finance. At the time, it housed the national mint, the Casa de Acuñación de La Moneda. Work was carried out under the direction of the Roman architect Joaquín Toesca y Ricci. In 1848, the building became the seat of government and residence of Chile's presidents. In pure neoclassical style, it is one of the country's most remarkable buildings. You can stroll through the interior patios (open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Every other day, at 10 a.m., you can watch the ceremonial changing of the guard. For tours (which are free of charge), please request in advance. Otherwise, you can always visit the interior and discover the various exhibits and small stores.

It was inside the building, in the former Salón Independencia, that President Salvador Allende took his own life on September 11, 1973, following the coup d'état led by Commander Augusto Pinochet (despite suspicions of assassination, the theory of suicide was confirmed by the Supreme Court following an investigation in 2014). The building was damaged by bombing during the Pinochet-led coup, but was quickly restored in the original neoclassical style. In the palace's basement, you can visit a cultural center with galleries, exhibitions and restaurants.