Architectural history in a modern city

Viña del Mar is a modern city, there's no doubt about that, and yet it hangs on to several sites that will show you an important architectural heritage, with castles and palaces amogst its highlights.

On Av.Marina lies Castillo Wulf, built in 1906 by a German merchant who gave its name to the building. Have a look at the castle's towers facing the Pacific; the venue is a Historical Monument and is mainly used as an exhibition center. With its Tudor style and Scottish airs, the Castillo Ross is located on the same avenue, close to the Flower Clock. It is the seat of the Arab Club and was built in 1912. Close by is Cerro Castillo, crowned by the Brunet mansion. Erected in 1923, it is owned by the Chilean police forces.

On the same hill lies the neo-medieval Presidential Palace (1929), also a Historical Monument and usually used by Chile's presidents. The Palacio Vergara (1910) is equally important; now home to the Fine Arts Museum, it is located in the Parque Quinta Vergara with beautiful, mature trees surrounding its white, Gothic architecture. There are two more palaces which you can visit: the Carrasco, currently one of the city's most prestigious cultural centers and La Rioja, which belongs to the municipality.

There is also the Valparaíso Sporting Club, which, with its late 19th century architecture, hosts popular horse races each summer as well as the Teatro Municipal (currently being repaired after the 2010 earthquake) and the Casino Municipal (1930).

 

Featured Destinations

Viña del Mar		Valparaíso
Isla Negra		Reñaca
Algarrobo		Pichilemu
Zapallar

 

Tours you can do

Coastal Viña del Mar		Pablo Neruda's Beach House
Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción		La Sebastiana
La Campana National Park		Architectural Heritage in Viña del Mar
Plaza Sotomayor		The Architecture of Chile’s Main Port
Elevators and Viewpoints

 

Tips

01 Addresses Castillo Wulff: Av. La Marina 37 Castillo Ross: Av. La Marina 50 Cerro Castillo: Calle Callao 398 Palacio Vergara, en Quinta Vergara: Errázuriz 596 Palacio Carrasco: Av. Libertad 250 Palacio La Rioja: Quillota 214 Valparaíso Sporting Club: Los Castaños 404 Teatro Municipal: Plaza Vergara s/n Casino Municipal: Av. San Martín 199