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Home Destinations South America Chile Santiago Sights Plaza de la Constitución

Plaza de la Constitucion Review

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Plaza de la Constitución

  • Address: Moneda at Morande, La Alameda, Santiago

Fodor's Review:

Palacio de la Moneda and other government buildings line Constitution Square, the country's most formal plaza. The changing of the guard takes place every other day at 10 AM within the triangle defined by 12 Chilean flags. Adorning the plaza are three monuments, each dedicated to a notable national figure: Diego Portales, founder of the Chilean republic; Jorge Alessandri, the country's leader from 1958 to 1964; and Don Eduardo Frei, president from 1964 to 1970. The plaza also serves as the roof of the underground bunker Pinochet had installed when he "redecorated" La Moneda. Pillars in each of the four corners of the square serve as ventilation ducts for the bunker, which is now a parking lot. Locals joke that these monoliths represent the four founding members of the military junta -- they're made of stone, full of hot air, and no one knows their real function. One pillar has been converted into a memorial honoring President Salvador Allende.

  • Metro: La Moneda

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