Former National Congress Building, Neoclassical government building in central Santiago, Chile.

The Former National Congress Building is a neoclassical palace on a full city block between Bandera, Compañía, Catedral and Morandé streets. Its plan is a cross within a square, forming four courtyards, with pedimented porticos of six Corinthian columns on the north and east facades. Brick masonry rests on hewn stone foundations, and a marble staircase stands at the Compañía entrance.

French architect Claude François Brunet designed it in 1854, but construction stopped and started several times before Eusebio Chelli finally completed it in 1876. This long building process reflects the country's political and economic changes during that era.

The Hall of Honor holds Pedro Subercaseaux's painting 'Discovery of Chile by Almagro', commissioned in 1913 and installed above the dais. In the Chamber of Deputies hemicycle hangs Thomas Somerscales's 'Departure of the Liberating Expedition of Peru'. The building's furniture, decorations and lamps were bought in Paris by consul Francisco Fernández Rodella.

It sits in central Santiago and is easy to walk to, with clear positioning on Catedral Street for easy finding. Since it functions as an active government workplace, visiting hours and access may change depending on legislative activities.

Thirteen cast iron lampposts from France, decorated with carvings of people and mythological figures, light up the gardens since 1890. These ornamental lights are original French imports that reveal the country's global connections during that period.