The Plaza de Armas represents the true heart of the capital, located in the historic center of Santiago and surrounded by different attractions and buildings of great tourist interest.
This type of plaza exists throughout Chile, because when the Spanish established cities they used that point as the axis of their grid plans. This square was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia.
Originally it served as a military training camp and strategic center for the expansion of the Spanish conquest. Over time, the square became the administrative, commercial, and social nucleus of Santiago, and the buildings of the most important institutions of the time were built around it.
It has been remodeled over time, adapting it with new lighting, gardens, a pergola, among others.
What to see in Plaza de Armas?
from this stop Hop On Hop Off, You will be able to tour the historic center of the city, visiting the historic buildings that surround the square, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, Municipality of Santiago, Casa Colorada Central Post Office and Museum of Santiago, Former National Congress and National Historical Museum, among others.
It is undoubtedly a very important point to learn about the beginnings of this city.