Lastarria District

You’re now in the heart of the Lastarria district, Santiago’s artistic and creative hub. Within just 2 or 3 streets, you’ve got everything for a perfect day out—an artisanal market, second-hand book stalls, the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center, several museums, an indie cinema, charming hotels, and a wide range of bars and restaurants. There’s always something happening here, from open-air festivals to art exhibits. In the evening, the terraces fill up with young and lively crowds chatting over drinks and soaking in the vibe. The neighbourhood grew around the Iglesia de la Veracruz, which you’ll see on your left. It was built in the early 19th century to honour Santiago’s founder, Pedro de Valdivia. The idea came from a historical mix-up: people believed the modest house that once stood on this spot belonged to Valdivia’s family. In reality, it was the home of the Barril family, who happened to be from the city of Valdivia. Still, in 1847, Spain’s chief of mission proposed building a church here to celebrate Pedro de Valdivia and reinforce diplomatic ties with Chile. The mayor, colonel, and archbishop agreed, and the project took off. The architect was Claude Brunet, a prominent Frenchman who also founded Chile’s first school of architecture. The church was named Veracruz, meaning “True Cross,” referring to the arrival of Christianity in the Americas. According to tradition, the first Christian altar on the continent was built on Good Friday—the day of the crucifixion—and the church houses relics of the Holy Cross in its presbytery. In 1983, it was declared a historic monument. During the social uprisings of 2019, sparked by a hike in metro fares that led to mass protests across the country, the Iglesia de la Veracruz suffered serious damage in a fire. Fortunately, restoration work has brought this beautiful piece of history back to life.