Architecture, Chile

The ceremonial village of Orongo is one of the most interesting and spectacular archaeological sites on Easter Island. Here an ancient ritual that still inspires the competitions of the Tapati Rapa Nui festival took place. The village of Orongo was inhabited seasonally by the chiefs and main characters of the ancient tribes, who hoped to collect the first sacred egg of the manutara bird in the months of spring. It is believed that the first Orongo constructions were not related to the manutara cult. In fact, just before the start of the village, on the edge that looks at the lagoon, there are the remains of a small ahu or platform. Only the base at ground level of a single moai is conserved, which according to some hypothesis could be the famous Hoa Hakananai’a moai. In front of the ahu some holes in the stones can be seen, which could have been used as an astronomical observatory to determine the position of the sun. https://imaginaisladepascua.com/en/easter-island-sightseeing/easter-island-archaeology/orongo/

Named one of the World’s Most Scenic Cemeteries by CNN, Santiago’s sprawling Cementerio General is definitely worth a visit. Spread over 210 acres (85 hectares) just North of the city center in the Recoleta neighborhood, this lavish and expansive cemetery is a history enthusiast and explorer’s dream. http://santiagotourist.com/cementario-general-de-santiago-chiles-grand-and-historic-cemetery/

At the beginning of XIX century it was property of Juan Antonio de la Carrera and his wife. He sold these lands to the Portuguese Merchant Francisco Salvador Alvarez in 1840, and he built here his house. http://www.vinadelmar.travel/tour/quinta-vergara.html

Mr. Gustavo Wulff, German saltpeter and coal trader, as well as maritime transporter, migrated to Chile in 1881. In 1904, he bought from Dr. Teodoro Von Schoeders 1,260m2 in front of Cerro Castillo (Castle Hill), in Viña del Mar where he had a house built and ready in 1908. http://www.vinadelmar.travel/tour/wulff-castle.html

Located among hills and an exuberant vegetation, this city invites you take a walk, try its seafood restaurants, visit its arts and crafts shops and be taken away by the colorful “palafitos” (houses built on stilts) along its promenade, a classical Chilote postcard. https://chile.travel/en/where-to-go/the-south-its-lakes-and-volcanoes/chiloe/castro

A must-see for tourists following the “Inca trail”; this is an oasis of shade in the middle of the desert. Inhabited by communities from Atacama, its easy-going pace is only interrupted by religious festivities which, depending on the patron saint, include confetti, flour or algarrobo drinks (fermented drink made from the pods and seeds of the algarrobo tree). Try the typical food of the north and don’t forget to visit the San Francisco Church, built in the 1600s. It is the oldest church in Chile and was built using millennial indigenous techniques. Go in and marvel: it is made out of mud and cactus wood. https://chile.travel/en/where-to-go/north-and-the-atacama-desert/san-pedro-atacama/chiu-chiu