Palacio de la Real Aduana de Santiago, Colonial building in Plaza de Armas district, Santiago, Chile.
The Palacio de la Real Aduana sits on Bandera Street and displays white walls, stone columns, and a central courtyard designed in Spanish colonial style. The building spans two main levels with symmetrical facades that reflect the design principles of that era.
Construction took place between 1805 and 1807 under architect Joaquín Toesca, and it originally served as a customs house for Spanish colonial authorities. Its purpose changed over time until it eventually became a cultural institution.
The palace now holds the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, bringing visitors face to face with objects from diverse American cultures and the people who created them. These collections tell stories about how indigenous civilizations lived and made things long before European arrival.
Access is available Tuesday through Sunday, with guided tours offered in multiple languages and changing exhibitions throughout the year. It helps to check opening hours before visiting and allow time to explore the museum collections at a relaxed pace.
The building survived a major fire in 1970 and was known at that time as the Old Courts before becoming a museum. That moment marked a turning point that led to its transformation and revival as a cultural space.
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