Palacio Astoreca, Iquique, Cultural center in Iquique, Chile.
Palacio Astoreca is a two-story mansion built in Georgian style around 1900 using Oregon pine, located in central Iquique with period features throughout. The building contains 27 rooms spread across roughly 1,100 square meters, decorated with original French furniture and detailed architectural elements.
Juan Higinio Astoreca commissioned the house in 1900 during the peak of the nitrate boom, though he died before its completion in 1901. The building then served as a symbol of the city's prosperity and was later preserved as an important historical landmark.
The mansion became a mark of wealth and status during Iquique's prosperous nitrate era, serving as a social hub for the city's most influential families. Today it operates as a space where local and national artists present their work to the public.
The building sits in downtown Iquique and is open on most weekdays, allowing visitors to explore the rooms at their own pace. Plan to spend enough time browsing the rooms and viewing the art displays throughout the mansion.
The entrance hall showcases an American oak floor brightened by stained glass windows in the Art Nouveau style, creating an elegant first impression. This combination of natural wood and artistic glass details reveals the attention to imported materials and design found throughout the property.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
