Palacio de La Moneda, Presidential seat in Santiago, Chile
Palacio de La Moneda is a government building in downtown Santiago, Chile, covering a full city block and built from white masonry with three internal courtyards. Each courtyard connects to the others through tall archways and symmetrical colonnades that reinforce the neoclassical layout.
Designed by Roman-born architect Joaquín Toesca as the colonial royal mint, the building opened in 1805; Toesca died in 1799 and Agustín Cavallero and Juan José de Goycoolea finished the work. In 1845 President Manuel Bulnes moved the government and presidential residence here from the old Governors' Palace, and the transfer was completed in mid-1846.
The name Moneda recalls the building's original purpose as a royal mint, which remains in common use today. Plaza de la Constitución in front of the main entrance serves as a daily crossing point for commuters and a gathering space for city residents.
The palace fills a whole block between Moneda, Morandé, the Alameda and Teatinos streets, with the Plaza de la Constitución on its north side and the Plaza de la Ciudadanía to the south. The main entrance faces the Plaza de la Constitución, so approach from that side to see the inscribed "PALACIO DE LA MONEDA" facade.
Specific bullet marks from the 1973 military coup were deliberately preserved during restoration and integrated into the facade. These traces now form a visible part of national memory and remain recognizable on several exterior walls.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,540 contributors worldwide.
