Palacio de La Moneda description and photos - Chile: Santiago (Topic)

Palacio de La Moneda description and photos - Chile: Santiago. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Palacio de La Moneda.

Photo and description

The Palacio de La Moneda (mint) is currently the seat of the President of the Republic of Chile. Also in the building are the offices of some members of the Cabinet of Ministers and the General Secretariat of the Chilean government. The Palacio de La Moneda occupies an entire block in downtown Sagnago.

The building project of the Palacio de La Moneda was designed by the Italian architect Joaquin Toesca. Its construction was carried out from 1784 to 1805. Building materials came from different parts of Chile: limestone from the Polpaiko estate; sand - from the Maipo river; red stones from the Cerro San Cristobal quarry in Santiago; white stone - from nearby Cerro Blanco; oak and cypress came from Valdivia; Spanish metal came from Vizcaya. Twenty types of bricks were made in Santiago for the construction of lintels, floors, walls more than a meter thick.

The architect Joaquin Toesca died in 1799, never seeing the completion of the construction of the Palacio de La Moneda. The military engineer Augustine Cavallero had to complete the project and supervise the construction of the La Moneda Palace.

The first coin production in Chile took place in La Moneda in 1814 and lasted until 1929. Since June 1845, the Palacio de La Moneda becomes the presidential residence.

During the coup in Chile on September 11, 1973, the military fired at the La Moneda palace. The restoration of the Palacio de La Moneda was completed only in March 1981. Although, some traces of that terrible time can be seen today:

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Topic: Palacio de La Moneda description and photos - Chile: Santiago.