Valparaíso, the second largest political hub in Chile, is a vibrant tourist destination, naval base, fishing port, and cargo terminal. In the 19th century, it was the most significant transshipment seaport in South America, drawing a large influx of European immigrants who left an enduring legacy of European-style architecture.
Although its international prominence waned after the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, Valparaíso’s historic district was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003, reaffirming its cultural significance.
Known as “God’s Palette,” Valparaíso is a mecca for South American graffiti culture, with its streets adorned with a kaleidoscope of murals. The city is also the birthplace of the renowned poet Pablo Neruda, and its picturesque setting between mountains and sea, along with its century-old wooden cable cars, offers breathtaking views of the harbor.
Viña del Mar, a celebrated tourist city in South America, forms part of the Greater Valparaíso region, making it the second-largest metropolitan area in Chile. Its name, which translates to “Vineyard by the Sea” in Spanish, harks back to its early days of grape cultivation.
In 1904, a devastating fire swept through Valparaíso, destroying 80% of the city. The reconstruction efforts were largely focused on the neighboring Viña del Mar, transforming it into a thriving urban center. On weekends, locals and visitors alike flock to the beaches to unwind, savoring the sun, food, and drinks, or simply basking in the serene atmosphere.
Viña del Mar is also home to an authentic MOAI stone statue. These colossal statues, originating from Easter Island, Chile, are carved from volcanic rock and typically stand at an average height of 4 meters, weighing up to 12.5 tons, with some towering as high as 12 meters. The distinctive features of these statues include elongated faces, long ears, prominent noses, and thick eyebrows, and they come in full-body, half-body, bald, and hat-wearing forms.
As an iconic symbol of Rapa Nui culture, the MOAI statues represent the deep reverence for ancestors and were inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1995.
