Panteón Hill, Valparaiso

Panteón Hill is one of the prominent hills forming the central chain of hills in the area. Aptly named Panteón, which translates to Pantheon or Cemetery in Spanish, the hill is home to three significant cemeteries: Cemetery No. 1, Dissidents Cemetery, and Cemetery No. 2.

In the early 19th century, Valparaíso faced unsanitary burial practices, where the deceased were either laid to rest on hilltops or washed away in the ocean. This led to a public health crisis, prompting the government to purchase land in 1825 for the establishment of a cemetery on Panteón Hill. Cemetery No. 1, initially established by Catholics, received the support of British immigrants who contributed to the creation of the Dissidents Cemetery. Another cemetery, Cemetery No. 2, was established in 1848.

Cemetery No. 1, declared a National Monument of Chile in 2005, boasts a Neo-classical portico entrance designed by Swiss architect Augusto Geiger in 1922. This entrance, adorned with fluted Doric columns, houses a replica of Michelangelo's Pietà donated by Juan Brown and brought from Rome. The cemetery features a diverse array of architectural styles, including Neo-gothic and Neo-classical, with stained glass artworks adding to its charm.

The Dissidents Cemetery, founded in 1825, served as the resting place for non-Catholics, especially British and other European residents. With the abolition of religious discrimination in municipal cemeteries in 1883, the Dissidents Cemetery ceased to exclusively accommodate non-Catholics from other cities.

Throughout its history, the cemeteries on Panteón Hill have faced challenges, including damage from earthquakes in 1906 and 2010. The 2011 renovations included the addition of the "Plaza of the Immigrant," further enriching the historical and cultural significance of Panteón Hill.