A Guide to Santiago’s Civic District, Santiago, Chile

Set at the heart of the Chilean capital, Santiago’s Civic District (Barrio Cívico) is a neighborhood that any traveller to Chile must visit while you are there.

It houses some of the most historic and important buildings, as well as grandiose squares. The civic district also serves as a hub for both Chilean political government as well as its modern urban design, largely courtesy of the planning by Karl Brunner in the 1930s.

This guide will walk you through the key sites which can be visited while you are exploring this destination. Without further ado…

Also known as the Citizenship Park, this expansive square is set right at the southern facade of the La Moneda Palace. Historically part of a significant urban remodelling project in celebration of the country’s Bicentennial, today it is a symbol of Chile’s democratic identity. Notably, there is a colossal banner of the Bicentennial Flag right at the square.

If you would like, you can also pay a visit to the underground Centro Cultural La Moneda, which houses world-class art exhibitions beneath the plaza’s surface.

Marked by its bright yellow Neo-Classical landmark, this is the oldest and most pretigious higher education institution in the entire of Chile. Designed by architect Lucien Hénault, the facade of this university was completed in the year of 1872. A fascinating historical fact is that the building’s Great Hall is where the most significant academic and political debates in Chilean history have unfolded, earning it the nickname “The House of All Chileans.” ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).