Palacio Herquíñigo

Palacio Herquíñigo is a palace at República Street 290 in Santiago featuring French architectural elements including iron gates, balconies, and marquees along its continuous facade. Inside, an imperial marble staircase, stained glass windows, and spacious halls define the layout.

Built in 1919 by architect Ricardo Larraín Bravo for businessman Alejandro Herquíñigo Gómez, the palace embodied the economic success of mining families during that era. It represented their rise and desire to establish European architectural standards in Chile.

The palace reflects the tastes of wealthy mining families through its ornate interiors and attention to imported design elements that still define how the rooms feel today. Visitors walking through can sense how the owners wanted to showcase their success and connections to European styles.

The building now operates as part of Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello with modern educational facilities and internet connectivity throughout. Visitors should know that the interior has been adapted for university use, though the original layout and structural elements remain visible.

The palace underwent careful restoration of its original wooden floors, walls, cornices, doors, and windows while preserving its defining architectural features. This meticulous work kept the original materials and construction techniques from its era visibly intact.