What does one see in Valparaiso? It's an easy question to answer. What is difficult is knowing if one has time to see it all, because in the squares, streets and port of this city of memories that is a permanent inspiration to artists and bohemians, time is the villain, robbing the traveler of precious hours for his pilgrimage.

Therefore, make sure you book for several days; perhaps you will unwittingly retrace the steps of Pablo Neruda, the Nobel prizewinning Chilean poet, who wended his way through Valparaiso's winding streets on many occasions.

A good tour through Valparaiso should include the following stops:

Cathedral Church of Valparaiso
The church was finished in 1948, but the 1971 earthquake caused serious damage to it, making reconstruction necessary; however, nature's fury shook it again in 1985, inducing the repair of the belfry, using lighter materials this time.
Later the front of the church was repaired, following the original design which showed marked Gothic influence. Within the building may be found an image of the Virgen del Carmen, carved out of a log, as well as an original painting by Moretto, a one-piece ivory Christ and a silver sacrarium, among other interesting items.

Perpetuo Socorro Church
This church belongs to the Order of the Padres Mercedarios (the Order of Mercy), who arrived at the Cerro Cordillera -where the temple is located- in 1903. It was inaugurated on February 4, 1912, 6 years after the foundation stone had been laid. The main polychrome altar, in the romantic style, with slight baroque influence, was installed in 1913.

San Luis Gonzaga Church
Building of this church was started on August 6, 1886, in answer to the demands of the people of Cerro Alegre. The end result was perfect: an elegant and tasteful church, featuring two towers, three Roman-style naves with capitals full of Byzantine Renaissance carvings, simple altars and beautiful artwork.

German Lutheran Church
It may be identified by its elegant and attractive architectural outline. Construction on it was begun in 1897 by the Bliederhaüser brothers. It is on Mt Concepcion, near Anibal Pinto Square and is the property of the German Evangelist Congregation.

St. Paul's Anglican Church
Declared a National Monument in 1979, this is Chile's second protestant temple, and was built in 1858 by engineer William Lloyd. It has sober lines and features elaborate woodwork. Its stained glass windows show beautiful biblical passages, and the Tablets of Moses' Law are on the main altar. An interesting detail is that it has no tower or cross, because at the time it was built there was no freedom of worship in the country. It belongs to the British community of St. Paul and is located on Mt Concepcion.