Santa Lucia Hill sits just on the next block over. It’s the remnant of a 15-million-year-old volcano, according to Wikipedia, with a castle (well a fort, really), a garden, cannons, stairwells, fountains, and facades.
Entry points to the park are monitored and, though admission is free, you need to sign in with a guard. It seemed small from the north entrance, but since that’s basically the smallest side, it hid many more monuments and landmarks.
It’s a cute park, and seemed to attract couples and tourists in particular.
The Circular Garden consisted of a grassy area with a few flowers and a pathway around a small fountain, but it provided a green and shady respite from the hot sun.
There’s an easy-to-miss plaque, sent from England to the people of Santiago with a quote from naturalist Charles Darwin on his visit to Santa Lucia Hill:
August 27, 1834
“…an inexhaustible source of enjoyment is to climb Santa Lucia Hill, a little hillock of rock that rises in the center of the city…From there the view is truly impressive and unique.”
The topmost point of the castle (Fort Hidalgo) offers a beautiful view of the surrounding city and the Andes. It seems to also be a spot to scrawl proclamations of love in marker, white out, or love locks.
Seems like the whole park is dedicated to Santiago and its founders and important influencers. We exited on the busy Avenida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgans, catching sight of the artisan market across the street before walking back through Lastarria (cute upscale neighborhood where we found Bocanariz).
I hear they fire a cannon everyday at noon(!), but have yet to hear it.
Wow, the “castle” tour looks very interesting. Am impressed with the nice blue skies, with little to no pollution. Keep up the great narrative!
Beautiful scenery!