Memorial for the Disappeared

The Memorial del Detenido Desaparecido y del Ejecutado Político is a white marble stele in Santiago's General Cemetery with wing-like structures on either side. The names of victims are carved into these wings, while Salvador Allende's name takes central prominence and two sculptures stand at the front.

The memorial was constructed in 1994 to document the names of individuals who disappeared or were executed during Chile's military dictatorship from 1973 to 1990. It emerged as a formal response to honor these victims and preserve memory of that period.

The memorial incorporates verses from Raul Zurita's poem 'Canto a su amor desaparecido' into its design, connecting literature with collective remembrance. Visitors can read these poetic words and feel a profound link between art and shared mourning.

The memorial is located in Section 102 of the cemetery and can be reached through two entrances on Avenida Recoleta. The cemetery maintains extended hours, making it accessible for visitors planning their own schedule.

Artist Francisco Gacitua created two distinct sculptures for the memorial featuring faces of a man and woman with closed eyes. This silent pose conveys a form of grief that transcends words and is expressed through the simple absence of sight.