Palacio de la Moneda, Palacio de Gobierno. Built in order to be the mint house, was inaugurated in 1804, few years before the chilean colony began its emancipation process to become a nation of its own. Built with a mixture of techniques it was a proper school of handicraft led by roman architect Joaquín Toesca, who arrived in the colonial Santiago in 1780 with the mission to complete this construction task, he never saw it finished. A number of presidential statues surround the square adding each a piece to a chapter of our government history. The coup d'etat in 1973, took place here and the reminding of it, plus other historic tokens in place, sets the tone for insight about human rights, civic duty and our hopes and expectations for the future.

Constitution Square, north of the Civic box and The City, embedded in middle of the National Ministerios, the branches of the Executive power surround this small green area where dogs and families play along. Every 48 hours the guard changes and performs instrumental music as they parade. The image of former presidents of La República de Chile remind us of the importance of different public figures in order to get to our current state of affairs. It doesn't hurt to stop and sit for a moment to catch our breath as we discuss what are the most likely indexes in Economy, Public opinión and Nowadays public agenda. Again, no one gets to educate anybody, just share information so the visitors might come up their our own conclusion about what things are.

Before of an ample space dominated by flat water fountains and the statue of President Manuel Montt and Antonio Varas lays the impressive mass of the Supreme Court of Justice, immovable and controversial, we will usually find some lone (or not so lone) demonstrator at its gates, proving that justice, as blind, rarely feels "just" to all parties involved. And in front of it, where in another time a temple enjoyed worship and suffered tragedy, currently another republican institution holds it's facility and not exempt from controversy: it is the former National Congress, closed down after the cup d'etat in 1973. Today relevant meeting take place at this location where, in spite of being a public place we are not always allowed entrance. The guide shall share insight about the composition of our republic, the three powers of the state and our current public affairs under their view. No intention to convince anyone of anything here, but to share useful information por personal analysis

In February 12 of 1541 it was stablished the Main Square and the Governor house, Pedro de Valdivia, took place in its north west side... or at least such is the version we know. Regardless of the new perspectives of the true origin of the city, it is commonly agreed that the beginning of Santiago (and chilean civic life) is attached to the establishment of this square: empty, regular and open to maneuver all logistics related to the establishment of a Spanish colony: horses, weapons, carts, and fortress initially located here or near, then the church, viceroy office, the gallows, livestock rodeo, jail and city council, religious events and jousting sports in colonial times, early civic centre of the newly born republic in the early XiX century, has become a place of entertainment, commerce and tradition in the last couple ten years. Still, located at the heart of Santiago, for better or worse there is always something of interest going on. Let us picture it, admire it and move on.

Mid XViii to XiX centuries was the span of its construction and after nearly six hundred chilean pesos of the time (a lot more than today I can assure you) there was a first version of the current building, but not the first temple (at least there were two in place before, with entirely different design and structure), the current one has suffered modification after modification since its consecration until before the 1st world war. With services during de week and at the weekend its most likely to visit at noon. We can make pictures inside (unless indicated the contrary in certain spots), but please keep your voice quiet and turn off the flash from your cameras. Naturally we shouldn't enter eating or drinking. Many symbols are present at the House of God: kindness, martyrdom, patriotism and other concepts are in display for observation and meditation. The "Capilla del Santísimo Sacramento" and the "Parroquia el Sagrario" are important and sensitive part of the religious complex.