ATTRACTIONS

What does one see in Valparaiso? It's an easy question to answer. What is difficult is knowing if one has time to see it all, because in the squares and streets, or in the port of this city of memories that is a permanent inspiration to artists and bohemians, time is the villain, robbing the traveler of precious hours for his pilgrimage.

Therefore, make sure you book for several days; perhaps you will unwittingly retrace the steps of Pablo Neruda, the Nobel prizewinning Chilean poet, who walked many times through Valparaiso's winding streets on many occasions.

A good tour through Valparaiso could include the following:

Cathedral Church of Valparaiso
The church was finished in 1948, but the 1971 earthquake caused serious damage to it, making reconstruction necessary; however, nature's fury shook it again in 1985, inducing the repair of the belfry, using lighter materials.
When the front of the church was repaired, the original design which showed marked Gothic influence was followed. Within the building an image of the Virgen del Carmen may be seen, carved out of a log, as well as an original painting by Moretto, a one-piece ivory Christ and a silver sacrarium, among other interesting items.

Perpetuo Socorro Church
This church was built by the Order of the Padres Mercedarios (the Order of Mercy), who arrived at the Cerro Cordillera -where the temple is located- in 1903. It was inaugurated on February 4, 1912, 6 years after laying the foundation stone. The main polychrome altar was made in the romantic style, with slight baroque influence. It was installed in 1913.

San Luis Gonzaga Church
Building of this church was started on August 6, 1886, as it was demanded by the people of Cerro Alegre. The end result was an elegant and tasteful church, featuring two towers, three Roman-style naves with capitals full of Byzantine Renaissance carvings, simple altars and beautiful art work.

German Lutheran Church
It may be identified by its elegant architectural design. Its construction was begun in 1897 by the Bliederhaüser brothers. It is on Mt Concepcion, near Anibal Pinto Sq. and belongs to the German Evangelist Congregation.

St. Paul's Anglican Church
It was declared a National Monument in 1979. This is Chile's second protestant temple, and was built in 1858 by William Lloyd. It has sober lines and elaborate woodwork. Its stained glass windows show biblical passages, and the Tablets of The Law are on the main altar. An interesting detail is that it has no tower or cross, because at the time it was built there was no freedom of worship in Chile. As a part of the British community of St. Paul, it is located on Mt Concepcion.