 | Santiago La Moneda Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 25 |  |
 | |  |  | La Moneda: Shift of guard at La Moneda | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
Every day, at 10 AM o'clock (sharp), the ceremony of shift of guard is performed by the Carabineros of the Guard Platoon at the northern gate of La Moneda palace, on Plaza Constitucion. The ceremony is interesting to see, with lots of orders given in a martial voice to the troops, and the leaving guard marching down Moneda St. Local people -both passers-by and tourists- gather to see it from the gardens of the square. Be there early if you want to see it, as it is strictly on time and lasts about 20 minutes only. Nikon F4s, 80-200 Nikkor, f.2,8-4, 1/500 sec., Kodak Ektachrome Elite 100 film. Leave a Comment Directions: Plaza de la Constitucion (Civic Quarter)
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| | | | La Moneda: The house of the government: La Moneda | Tip Rating: | | | | |
At heart of the Civic Quarter, La Moneda was for many decades not only the government's house, but also home for the President in office, although this changed in the 60's. Before the 1973 military coup, which was the beginning of Gen. Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship, it was open to the public but, fearing an attack on him, Pinochet closed it; in 2000, President Ricardo Lagos opened it again. Nowadays, its patios can be walked across freely just by asking permission for it to the Carabineros at the north gate (no documents nor ID asked). Going upstairs is not allowed, although journalists can get an extended visit permit at the entrance. Photographying the inside is freely allowed to everybody. When certain ceremonies are held, crossing permission is suspended during the ceremony, and then resumed. During the military coup, it was put under siege, tank-shelled and rocketed by fighter aircraft, some of whose "scars" can still be seen under the repairs made afterwards, and which took about 2 years to finish. Nikon F4s, 20 mm. Nikkor, f.8-11, 1/250 sec., POL filter, Kodak Ektachrome Elite EBX 100 slide film. Leave a Comment Directions: Take the subway (linea 1) and alight in La Moneda station, then walk half a block east. Or take a micro and get off in Alameda in front of the palace, at the corner of Morande. and AlamedaWebsite: www.presidencia.cl
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| | | | La Moneda: Museo Casa de Moneda (Mint's museum) | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
Here's a little visited museum for those who want to add another one after being at the Artequin interactive arts museum, which is literally next door to it. The Museo de la Casa de Moneda (not to be confused with La Moneda government building), (the Chilean Mint) was inaugurated in October 2004 and has an interesting display of coins, banknotes and ancient coin-making artifacts, and may give a surprise to more than one foreign visitor, after finding out that (some) of their national currency is either printed or coined right here (and, BTW, just 100 metres behind is my apartment). Fixed magnifying glasses are set to inspect the smaller pieces, and an attractive display makes it easy to visit. The person in charge speaks some English, and is always happy to receive foreign visitors, to guide them through the display and explain anything asked. This is a high-security compound, so an ID is (friendly) asked to enter the museum, although the place itself is not on the most "critical" area. To get in, walk to the front gate, just 40 metres west of the Artequin, stand there and security personnel will open it for you from the inside. It is open on weekdays (Mon to Fri) during working hours (0900-1730). Buses 225 and 226 leave you at the very entrance of it, and subway (metro) station Quinta Normal is just 3 blocks away across the Quinta Normal park (which is a nice walk at any time and season). Photography (even with flash) and video are permitted with no restrictions. Entrance is free. Leave a Comment Phone: 6805100Directions: 40 metres W of Artequin art centre. Facing Quinta Normal's south gate. Served by buses 225, 226 and Quinta Normal or Estacion Central (this latter on the Alameda, a bit far) metro stationWebsite: www.cmoneda.gov.cl
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