La Moneda

La Moneda is the presidential palace located in central Santiago, Chile; construction began in 1784 and the building was completed in the early 19th century. It was originally built to house the Spanish colonial mint and is now the official seat of the President of Chile.

The palace is notable for its neoclassical façade and the formal Plaza de la Constitución that fronts the building. The neighbouring underground Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda hosts rotating exhibitions and cultural programmes and has entrances on the plaza. Guided visits provide access to selected state rooms and the building’s external architecture is a focal point for photography and civic ceremonies.

Designed by the Italian architect Joaquín Toesca in the late 18th century, the structure began life as a mint and was converted over the 19th century into government offices and the presidential residence. The palace was heavily damaged by bombing during the 1973 military coup; it was later restored and refurbished for official use.

The building sits on Avenida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins in Santiago’s civic centre, facing the Plaza de la Constitución and surrounded by government buildings and administrative precincts.

• Official seat: Houses the offices and ceremonial rooms used by the President of Chile and for state receptions.
• 1973 coup and restoration: Sustained heavy damage when the building was bombed during the military coup of 1973 and underwent major restoration afterwards.
• Ceremonial events: Changing of the guard and other ceremonial events take place on the plaza in front of the palace on a published schedule.

What to See #

• Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda: Located under the plaza in front of the palace, opened in 2006 to display temporary exhibitions, film screenings and cultural programmes connected to Chilean history and contemporary art.
• Palacio de La Moneda: The main palace building designed by Joaquín Toesca in the late 18th century, originally built as the colonial mint and later repurposed as the seat of government; the façade and formal plaza are the site's primary external features.