San Francisco Church and Convent.
It is the oldest building in Santiago and the only architectural piece in the city representative of the 16th century. It was founded in 1554 by the first Franciscans coming from Peru. On the main altar, it is possible to admire a statue of the "Virgen del Socorro" (Our Lady of Help), brought by Pedro de Valdivia himself, this being the first religious image to arrive in Chile. The church boasts a golden polychrome molded ceiling and several religious images from colonial times.

On the first floor the convent houses the Museum of Colonial Art featuring invaluable painting collections, imagery, locksmith work and goldsmith artwork, as well as a series of large paintings portraying the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, which, according to specialists, constitute the best examples of the typical Cuzco paintings on the continent. Address: Londres 4, in the Paris-Londres neighborhood.

"La Merced" Basilica.
The current church is the third built after the collapse of the previous two during the earthquakes which hit the city. It was built between 1736 and 1760, and both the first architectural sketches and the Cathedral itself were designed by the architect Joaquín Toesca.

Inside, there are three spacious naves in which one may appreciate valuable works of art, such as the pulpit, a beautiful carving dating from the 18th century and a statue of "Our Lady of Mercy", brought by the priest Antonio Correa in 1548. Also, several well-known historical characters are buried here.

There is a three-room museum with valuable religious images and objects and one of the most complete collections from Easter Island. Address: Mac Iver 341.

Santo Domingo Church.
Three buildings were razed by severe earthquakes before the construction of the current temple. The construction of this neo-classical structure showing local influence began in 1747 under the direction of the architect Juan de los Santos Vasconcellos. However, the building was finished by Joaquin Toesca in 1796.

It houses a collection of colonial paintings of Santo Domingo and the image of Our Lady of Pompeii, to whom the numerous faithful leave offerings every Thursday.
Address: Santo Domingo 961, corner of 21 de Mayo.

Bellavista Neighborhood.
It is located between the Mapocho river and Mt San Cristobal. It is currently a bohemian neighborhood, a refuge for intellectuals, writers, actors, musicians, plastic artists and artisans.

Its picturesque streets swarm with restaurants offering typical and international dishes, theaters, art galleries, lapis lazuli (a beautiful blue gemstone) vendors, discos, bars and cafés, turning this into one of the most attractive areas of Santiago.
It is said to have been born as a residential neighborhood back in the 1920s. Decades later, numerous intellectuals, such as Camilo Mori, Oreste Carlini and the national bard Pablo Neruda would settle in the area.

Among the main attractions in the neighborhood, we find the Museum-Residence "La Chascona", the former house of the notable poet Pablo Neruda, winner of the Nobel Prize of Literature, and his wife, Matilde Urrutia. The house, which has been declared a National Monument, consists of various levels with staircases and trees which provide it with a singular charm.

At present, it houses the Neruda Foundation, an institution which organizes diverse cultural activities, such as book presentations, exhibitions, conferences and poetry workshops. It is also possible to go on guided visits during which one can view some of the poet's manuscripts and the paintings by his well-known friends such as Siqueiros and Rivera.

On one of the sides of the house, the Poet's Square has been built, a sort of open-air amphitheater in which several cultural events take place. Address: Fernando Marquez de la Plata 192.

Mt San Cristobal also constitutes one of the most popular attractions among tourists, crowned by an image of the "Immaculate Conception". It is an outstanding vantage point accessible either on foot, by car or on a cableway.

Located within Metropolitan Park, it offers a children's playground, swimming pools and a zoo. Accesses are located in La Piramide, Pedro de Valvidia Norte and Pio Nono.

Paris-Londres Neighborhood.
Its beautiful mansions of varied styles, built between 1923 and 1929 by distinguished architects such as Cruz Montt and Larrain Bravo, create a bohemian and evocative atmosphere which seems to extend to infinity along its narrow stone streets which start from San Francisco Square.

Owing to its architectural value, the neighborhood was declared a Typical Zone in 1982, thus precluding any attempt to modify the original environment.

Brazil Neighborhood.
It is made up of old stately mansions built in the mid-19th century, many of which have now been turned into cultural centers, art galleries, workshops or restaurants. It was originally inhabited by wealthy aristocratic families that later moved to the eastern side of Santiago to avoid the workmen's rallies and strikes in the downtown area. Some time later, several middle-class professionals and intellectuals got to the neighborhood, gradually turning it into one of the axes of cultural activity in the city.

"Pueblito de Los Dominicos" (Los Dominicos Small Town).
It is one of the main commercial districts of Chilean craftsmanship. It consists of approximately 180 workshops and stores selling handmade products, restaurants offering typical dishes and exhibition galleries. There is also a botanical garden and antique shops. Artisans make and sell their works of art made of lapis lazuli, ceramics, wicker, copper and leather, and they can be observed at work. Its official name is "Center of Chilean Craftsmanship Graneros del Alba". Address: 9085 Apoquindo Avenue.