Casa Carmona, Historic site in La Serena, Chile.

Casa Carmona is a neoclassical house with a distinctive two-level tower in La Serena. The tower features a square lower section and an octagonal upper part with a surrounding corridor, while the main building holds two inner courtyards.

The house was built in 1855 by Thomas James for Arturo Cousiño and represents the city's architectural modernization of that era. After changing hands several times, it came under the care of the Salesian Congregation in 1968.

The house takes its name from Aurora Carmona de Woodward, who donated it to the Salesian Fathers in 1968. The Galleguillos family, settled in La Serena since the 16th century, bought it in 1880 and furnished it with Italian and French furniture, crystal lamps, Persian rugs, colonial paintings and porcelain. The glazed geometric screens between the courtyards are typical of La Serena.

The building is located at the corner of Balmaceda and Amunátegui streets and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should plan time to move slowly through the different levels and sections to fully appreciate the tower structure and the layout of the courtyards.

The tower was built as a mirador, a lookout point, and is the only one from its era still standing in La Serena. Its upper level rises above the roofline, so it can be picked out from Balmaceda Street before the rest of the house comes into view.