Plaza de Armas, Central square in Santiago, Chile

Plaza de Armas is a paved square in the historic centre of Santiago, covering a full city block. It has curved walkways, wooden benches, a central pergola for municipal band performances, and gardens with araucarias, cedars, ceibos, oaks, palms and pataguas. The square is bordered by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the National History Museum and the Municipality of Santiago.

The square was founded in 1541 when Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia established Santiago at this location. It served as the center of the city's military and administrative power from the beginning.

The square is surrounded by buildings that shape Santiago's identity: the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the National History Museum. Visitors see people gathering here daily, sitting and using the center as a large public living room.

The Plaza de Armas metro station lies directly beneath the square, opened in 2000 for Line 5 and in 2019 for Line 3. The square is bordered by Catedral and Monjitas to the north, 21 de Mayo and Estado to the east, Compañía and Merced to the south, and Paseo Ahumada and Paseo Puente to the west. Park rangers are on duty around the clock since the 2014 renovation.

You can find chess players daily at permanent stone tables, continuing a tradition spanning multiple generations of Santiago residents. This game is an everyday part of the square that many overlook.