The Plaza de Armas of Santiago is located in the commune of Santiago and is the nucleus of the historical center of the capital of Chile.1 It is located in the quadrant delimited by the streets Catedral and Monjitas to the north, 21 de Mayo and Estado to the east, Compañía and Merced to the south, the Paseo Ahumada and the Paseo Puente to the west. Under the Plaza is currently the Plaza de Armas station of Metro de Santiago, inaugurated in 2000 for Line 5 and in 2018 for Line 3.

 

The Plaza de Armas of Santiago is considered the heart of the capital of Chile, marking the milestone known as Kilometer Zero, from which the distance between the different cities of the country begins to be measured.

In its surroundings, not only do emblematic buildings converge, symbols of the origin of the city and witnesses of its development for over four centuries, but also characteristic characters that fill this space with life.

Among them, visitors may find painters who display their art day after day; historical photographers who use old box machines; or street humorists who attract the attention of passers-by.

The square was designed by master builder Pedro de Gamboa. The Cabildo (Municipality of Santiago), the Casa de los Gobernadores (Central Post Office), the Real Audiencia (National Historical Museum) and the Iglesia Mayor (Metropolitan Cathedral) were installed around it.

Since its establishment, it has been the social heart of Santiago, without ever losing its status as the center of civic life and an indisputable heritage and tourist icon of the capital.

During this year, improvement works were carried out in the place, which considered changes in the lighting, replacement of trees, installation of Wi-Fi, new furniture and the recovery of the Bulnes Portal. Along with this, through the Internet, you will be able to access cameras that cover the site and thus not miss any activity of this important meeting point of Santiago.