5 places you can´t miss in your next trip to Valparaíso

from María Fernanda Aliaga Traviesa, Profesora de Historia, Museo Naval y Marítimo

Located opposite the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the city of Valparaiso is hard to forget. It is not only Chile’s most important port, but also, the historical shell of the city was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2003. This significant designation implies that the “Jewel of the Pacific” –as popularly known- has been universally recognized as an invaluable asset from the architectural, historical, anthropological and cultural point of view.
For these reasons, tourists can rest assured that they will find many interesting places to visit during their stay. Here we present a few of them; you must discover the others on your own:

1. Naval and Maritime Museum (V): Located in the former Naval Academy building on Cerro Artillería (built in 1893), it tells the history of the Chilean Navy, weapons, the most important national heroes, and also part of the raids by the old European pirates and privateers who visited the local coasts. The Naval and Maritime Museum is an establishment aimed to protect, preserve and divulge to the public, the Chilean Naval and Maritime historical heritage. In its 15 halls you can retrace the history of our country since the early independence (1810) up until the Pacific War (1879). It also holds thematic rooms such as one dedicated to Cape Horn, a fascinating display that contains the history of the voyages around the Cape; or a room with dozens of historical ship models. From the gardens you can also enjoy a privileged view of the bay. 

2. Artillería Funicular and Paseo 21 de Mayo:  There are twenty-two funiculars in Valparaiso , this one, built in 1893 to transport the staff of the old Naval Academy, has its upper station  in the 21 de Mayo Promenade, one of the most emblematic spots in town, for its magnificent view, souvenir stands,  small cafe and attractive terrace.  In the old days, it used to be the largest funicular, capable of transporting over 30 passengers. Today is one of the most used accesses to visit the Naval and Maritime Museum.

3.  Casa-Museo La Sebastiana: Located on Mount Florida with an endless view of the sea, this is one of the three houses that belonged to the Chilean poet, Nobel Prize Laureate and great collector, Pablo Neruda.  After his death, the Pablo Neruda Fundation rebuitl the legendary house and tranformed it into a museum. The exact color on each wall and the location of the paintings and objects of the poet were recreated in an attempt to find the way in which only he would have distributed them.
   In every room, visitors can discover the lifestyle of its owner and in the library you find a raconteur of his life, through an exhibition of biographical photographs, and his work translated in various languages. 

4.  Muelle Prat and Plaza Sotomayor: A port city, Valparaíso reveals the lifestyle of seamen. Multicolored boats take hold of the scene. From the pier you can watch the bustling port activity, the constant landfall cruises and even take a boat ride across the bay. Around the pier there is also a handicraft fair, with stalls that sell souvenirs from all around the country.

In front of the sidewalk, at the heart of this area, is the Sotomayor Square. in its center stands the Monument to the Navy, inaugurated in 1886, under which rests the remains of the great heroes of the Chilean Navy. Heritage buildings surround the monument; the most attractive one houses the Office of the Commander of the Navy.

5. Cemeteries of Valparaiso:  Located in the Panteón Hill, the Catholic and the Dissidents’ Cemetery both date form the early nineteenth century. Economic development of Valparaiso attracted many protestant immigrants from Europe and North America, and public cemeteries were not allowed to bury their remains. British diplomatic authorities managed to buy a plot of land next to the spectacular geographical setting of the Catholic Cemetery No. 1. Separated by a narrow public road, the Dissidents’ Cemetery was built in 1827, for all non-Catholic. Today the entry doors to both cemeteries face each other, and harbor the tombs of military heroes, politicians and benefactors that marked the destiny of the city and Chile.

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