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Valparaíso, ChileSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cerros_Valpo_5.jpg
Author: Lorena Torres Angelini
Valparaíso is a major city and seaport in Chile. Including its surrounding metropolitan area, Valparaíso is regarded as the third biggest city in Chile, having a population of 276,000 (2011 estimate). However on its own, Valparaíso is the sixth largest city in the country. It observes the Chile Standard Time (UTC-4) and in summer the Chile Standard Summer Time (UTC-3).
In addition to being the most important seaport for Chile, Valparaíso is also a regional cultural center. It is the capital of Valparaíso Province and Valparaíso Region.
Catedral de Valparaíso, ChileSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catedral_de_Valpara%C3%ADso.jpg
Author: Robert Cutts
As with all the cities in Chile, Valparaíso is located on a volatile region prone to earthquakes. The massive earthquake that rocked Chile on 27 February, 2010, registering 8.8 on the Richter scale, is just one of many earthquakes that have devastated Valparaíso. The previous big one hit Valparaíso in 1906. Apart from that, it has also been either severely devastated or marginally affected by the 1730 Valparaíso earthquake, the 1885 Santiago earthquake andthe 2008 Papudo earthquake.
Valparaíso was founded in 1543 by Juan de Saavedra, who named it after his home town of Valparaíso de Arriba in Spain. It was just a village under Spanish rule, and only blossomed into a major harbor after Chile's independence. Immigrants from different parts of Europe made Valparaíso a highly cosmopolitan city, with communities of Italians, Germans, French and English forming the Valparaíso society.
Visiting Valparaíso
As Valparaíso is not served by flights, the most common way to reach it is by bus from Santiago. The journey takes about one and a half hours.Places of Interest in Valparaíso
- Bar Inglés
A popular bar from the days when Valparaíso was a great seaport. - Calle Esmeralda
Important street in downtown Valparaíso, with a number of stately buildings. - Calle Prat
A street through downtown Valparaíso, connects with Calle Esmeralda. It is surrounded by important sights. - Casa de Lord Cochrane
Mansion built by Lord Thomas Cochrane in 1842, today an example of post-Colonial architecture. - Cementerios Católico and Disidentes
The Catholic and Protestant cemetery holding gravestones of the early immigrants to Valparaíso. - Congreso Nacional
Seat of Chile's national congress. The choice of Valparaíso instead of Santiago was made by General Pinochet, after being forced to return the country to democratic rule, after 14 years of dictatorship. - Edificio de la Aduana
This pink-colored 1855 building is an excellent example of post-Colonial architecture. - Iglesia Anglicana San Pablo
The St. Paul Anglican Church was built in 1858 for the city's English community. - Iglesia de los Sagrados Corazones
The Church of the Sacred Heart dates to 1874. It is the first church in the Americas built by the French Order of the Sacred Heart. - Iglesia Luterana
The first Protestant church in South America to be allowed a steeple and bell tower, the Lutheran Church serves the German community of Valparaíso. - Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
One of the most impressive examples of red-brick architecture in Chile, this church and convent was established in 1846. - La Sebastiana
House bought by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. - Muelle Prat
A pier where you can take boat tours of the harbor. - Museo a Cielo Abierto
An outdoor museum encompassing winding streets carrying giant murals by some of Chile's best contemporary artists. - Museo de Sitio Plaza Sotomayor
A small architectural museum at Plaza Sotomayor providing interpretation of the site before the plaza was built. - Museo Naval y Maritimo
This is one of the best naval museums in Chile. Housed in an 1893 building, it showcases Chile's naval history and foremost naval heroes. - Palacio Baburizza
Mansion in the Art Nouveau style located on a hill overlooking Paseo Yugoslavo. - Palacio de la Justicia
Valparaíso's appeals court built in 1939. - Palacio Lyon
Historic mansion from 1887 today housing the Museo de Historia Natural de Valparaíso. - Paseo Gervasoni
This is a cobbled promenade on the hill, with scenic views of Bahía de Valparaíso. - Plaza Aníbal Pinto
A busy square in downtown Valparaíso, surrounded by important buildings. - Plaza Echaurren
Square that marks the first landfall made by Juan de Saavedra in 1543. - Plaza Sotomayor
Valparaíso's main square, venue for parades.
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