Highlights of Valparaiso’s Downtown, Valparaiso, Chile

Founded in 1536, the bay of Valparaiso was formerly the land of Pichunche natives and it transformed into a major seaport following the California gold rush circa 1848-1858. It continued to play a prominent stop for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via the Straits of Magellan, prior to the opening of the Panama Canal.

Today, the Greater Valparaiso area which also includes the neighbouring Viña del Mar is the second most populous metropolitan area in Chile. The city has attracted artists, tourists and cultural entrepreneurs drawn by the city’s history and colorful buildings, turning it into an artisanal, bohemian town.

Nicknamed “the Jewel of the Pacific”, Valparaiso was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. While Valparaiso is also becoming synonymous with its hilly neighbourhoods worthy of its own guide, this article will focus on the coastal plain area immediately surrounding the main port.

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 Edwards Building, this iconic clock tower was completed in the year of 1924 with European influenced architecture, playing a major role in regulating the life of the locals at the time. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).