- Address: Bandera 361, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile;
- Phone: +56 2 2928 1500;
- Website: http://www.precolombino.cl/;
- Foundation date: 1981;
- Working hours: Tuesday-Sunday - 10.00 - 18.00, Monday - closed;
- The cost of visiting: adult - $ 4.5, students - $ 2, the first Sunday of the month - for free.
Unlike many other cities in Chile , Santiago for travelers, is not just another stop on the way to Patagonia and the legendary island of Easter . This magical city itself arouses great interest among tourists and is very popular with all holidaymakers. The capital of Chile is home to many unique museums and unusual cultural centers, and the Museum of pre-Columbian art is just one of such places.
Interesting Facts
The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino) is an art museum dedicated to the study and demonstration of pre-Columbian works of art and artifacts from Central and South America. It was founded by the famous architect and collector of antiquities Sergio Garcia-Moreno, who was looking for a room to display and store items from his private collection, acquired over 50 years. In December 1981, the museum was opened in the heart of Santiago, in the historic building of the Palacio de la Real Aduana, built in the early 19th century.
What to see?
Items from the museum's collection were found on the territory of the main historical and cultural regions of America - Mesoamerica, Isthmo-Colombia, Amazonia, Andes, etc. All exhibits were selected on the basis of the aesthetic quality of the objects, rather than their scientific or historical context. Conventionally, the exposition of the Museum of pre-Columbian art can be divided into 4 thematic halls:
- Mesoamerica . The most famous exhibits are the statue of Shipe-Totek (patron of nature and agriculture), an incense burner from the culture of Teotihuacan, bas-reliefs of the Maya.
- Intermedia . Among the exhibits are products from the ceramics of the culture of Valdivia, gold objects found in the provinces of Veraguas and Dikuis.
- Central Andes . The most interesting hall of the museum, according to the reviews of tourists. The collection includes masks and copper figures, many of which were removed from the tombs. Here you can see the ancient fabrics of the Chavin culture, painted more than 3000 years ago.
- Andres del Sur . This room presents modern Chilean and Argentine cultural objects: ceramic urns of Aguada, Inca pile, etc.
In addition, on the territory of the Museum of pre-Columbian art there is a library specializing in pre-Columbian art, archeology, anthropology and American history. It contains more than 6000 volumes of scientific books, 500 periodicals and 1900 prints. However, remember that only members can use the catalog of the library, besides, it is forbidden to take books and other printed publications.
Helpful information
The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is located in the heart of Santiago , just 1 block from the main square in Plaza de Armas . You can get there both independently and by renting a car or using the services of public transport. The museum is run by buses 504, 505, 508 and 514; go out at the Plaza de Armas stop.