Museo Histórico Nacional, Santiago is one of the famous museums in Santiago. Santiago city is also known as Santiago de Chile in Spanish. It was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia on February 12, 1541. The city was originally named as Santiago de Nueva Extremadura. The city is one of the important tourist destinations in Chile. Museo Histórico Nacional, Santiago cannot be missed out while taking the Santiago tours.
Museo Histórico Nacional, Santiago is a beautiful building whch was built between 1804 and 1807. It was constructed by Juan José de Goycolea y Zanartu, who was a student of the well known architect Joaquín Toesca. This Santiago tourist attraction was originally intended to be a palace for the Real Audiencia. The Real Audiencia was the local administrative office of the Spanish Crown.
The originally purpose was not served and this site was the place of the first Government assembly. This assembly initiated the country’s independence from Spain. The Museo Histórico Nacional in Santiago was also the place were the first sitting were held by the National Congress. It was the seat of the Primer Congreso Nacional from 1812 to 1814.
The liberator General Bernard O’Higgins had an office here. The palace had many alterations but the original façade has been kept intact. The building is built of brick in neoclassical style. The museum is now a national monument. General Mariano Osorio reinstalled the Real Audiencia (1814-1817) and restored Spanish authority.
The Museo Histórico Nacional, Santiago has been in this palace since 1911. This Museum of Chile features a collection showcasing different periods. It includes famous personalities of Chilean history, from pre-Colombian times until the 1970s. A section of the Museo Histórico Nacional, Santiago is dedicated to numismatics which is the study of coins, medals and money. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday at a fee while on Sundays entrance is free.
Museo Histórico Nacional, Santiago has a museum too which is open to the public and specialized readers. It is open from Tuesday to Friday in the mornings and afternoons. The museum is situated on Plaza de Armas.
This museum is very popular with tourists and should be included in your Santiago sightseeing tours.
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