Calle Huérfanos (Huérfanos Street), Santiago

Calle Huérfanos (Huérfanos Street), Santiago

Calle Huerfanos, or Huerfanos Street, has a history that dates at least to the early 18th century. Originally, the street was named Alley of the Stables because it was home to the stables of Don Mateo de Toro y Zambrano. Later, it was called La Moneda Real due to the fact that the first minted coins in Chile were created in a house on this street.

The moniker Calle Huerfanos, which means "orphans street," came after the Hospicio de Los Pobres was founded. The building was used to care for women who suffered from cholera, and then later their children who were left behind.

Visitors to Santiago can easily walk Calle Huerfanos as the most notable blocks are entirely pedestrian. Tourists will see a number of shops and eateries. There are outdoor vendors selling their wares and architecture that shows the changes in Santiago over the years.

Away from the pedestrian area of Calle Huerfanos are a number of notable places. Santa Lucia Hill, Quinta Normal Park and Brazil Square are all easily reached from Huerfanos Street.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santiago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: 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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Calle Huérfanos (Huérfanos Street) on Map

Sight Name: Calle Huérfanos (Huérfanos Street)
Sight Location: Santiago, Chile (See walking tours in Santiago)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Santiago, Chile

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Santiago Shopping and Food Tour

Santiago Shopping and Food Tour

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Recoleta Walking Tour

Recoleta Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Bellavista Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Santiago Introduction Walking Tour

Santiago Introduction Walking Tour

Santiago is the political, financial, and cultural center of Chile. The capital city was founded on Santa Lucia Hill in 1541 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. Surrounded by the snow-capped Andes, Santiago offers history, gorgeous architecture, world-class museums, and fabulous markets.

Start your trip from Santa Lucia Hill which has one of the best views of Santiago and the Andes...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historical Churches and Cathedrals

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For a country relatively small in terms of population, Chile is quite rich in two things: coastline and churches. Thanks to the Spanish founders of the Chilean capital, the majority of Santiago’s temples are Catholic. Given that most of them are conveniently located in the downtown area, checking out these historic religious sites doesn’t take too much time.

The San Francisco Church –...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

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