Palacio Cousiño, Neoclassical palace in Dieciocho Street, Santiago, Chile.
Palacio Cousiño is a neoclassical structure on Dieciocho Street in Santiago commune that now serves as a museum displaying several rooms with original furnishings. The interior retains marble flooring, carved wooden ceiling beams, and wall coverings made from European fabrics imported from France and Italy during its construction.
French architect Paul Lathoud designed this residence for Isidora Goyenechea, widow of mining entrepreneur Luis Cousiño, completing construction in 1878. The completion marked a new standard for private residences in Chile and reflected the growing wealth of mine owners during the 19th century.
The residence reflects the lifestyle of wealthy mining families in Chile and regularly hosted social gatherings attended by Santiago's upper class. The original furnished rooms with French furniture and art collections still convey a direct sense of how this social group lived during that era.
The museum offers guided tours in Spanish and English from Tuesday to Saturday, with advance booking required and only card payments accepted. The rooms are spread across several floors, which visitors with limited mobility should keep in mind.
This residence was the first building in Chile to feature electrical installations and contained one of the earliest elevators in the country. The technical innovations were brought directly from Europe and installed by European specialists.
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