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 residence shows how European and American influences arrived in the region during the 1800s silver mining expansion. Visitors can notice this cultural blend in the architectural details and the way the spaces are designed.
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 transition from the tower's square base to its octagonal upper level shows a refined blend of geometric forms rarely seen in other buildings of the region. This architectural detail subtly marks the boundary between older and newer La Serena.
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