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{{Infobox building
The '''Palacio de La Moneda''', or '''La Moneda''', actual sit of the President of the Republic of Chile, is one of the most notable buildings constructed by the Spanish crown in its American colonies.
|name = La Moneda Palace<br /><small>''Palacio de La Moneda''</small>
|image = Palacio de La Moneda - miguelreflex.jpg
|caption = View of La Moneda from the ''Plaza de la Constitución''
|map_type =
|latitude =
|longitude =
|location_town = ]
|location_country = ]
|architect = ]<ref name="BensonGraham2009"/>
|client = ]
|engineer =
|construction_start_date = 1784
| completion_date = 1805
|date_demolished =
|cost =
|structural_system =
|style = ]<ref name="BensonGraham2009">{{cite book|author1=Andrew Benson|author2=Melissa Graham|title=The Rough Guide to Chile|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XPr4ktEI8JEC|access-date=10 December 2011|year= 2009|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-1-4053-8381-3|page=94}}</ref>
|size =
}}


'''Palacio de La Moneda''' ({{IPA|es|paˈlasjo ðe la moˈneða|lang}}, ''Palace of the ]''), or simply '''La Moneda''', is the seat of the ] of the ]. It also houses the offices of three cabinet ministers: ], General Secretariat of the Presidency, and ]. Located in downtown ], it occupies an entire block in the Civic District, bordered by Moneda street to the north, Morandé street to the east, Alameda del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins to the south, and Teatinos street to the west.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.letsgochile.com/locations/central-zone/rm/palacio-de-la-moneda-in-santiago-chile |title=www.letsgochile.com: La Moneda Palace |access-date=2012-07-25 |archive-date=2019-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125040833/http://www.letsgochile.com/locations/central-zone/rm/palacio-de-la-moneda-in-santiago-chile |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Palacio de La Moneda, originally a colonial mint (moneda means coin), was designed by Italian architect Joaquín Toesca. Construction began in 1784 and was opened in 1805, while still under construction.


==History==
It was president ] who transfered the presidential residence to La Moneda, in June, 1845, thus becoming the presidential palace it is today.
La Moneda, was the colonial ] of the city during colonial times, was designed by the Italian architect ].<ref name="BensonGraham2009"/> Construction began in 1784 and was opened in 1805.<ref name="BensonGraham2009"/> The production of coins in Chile took place at La Moneda from 1814 to 1929.
]
] in ''Chile Ilustrado'']]
]
]


In June 1845 during president ]'s administration, the palace became the seat of government and presidential residence. In 1930, a public square—named '']'' ("Constitution Square")—was built in front of the palace. After the presidency of ] it ceased to serve as a presidential residence.
In 1930, a public square was built in front of the palace, the ''Plaza de la Constitución'' (Constitution Square).


During the ] on September 11, 1973, the ] strafed the palace with unguided rockets and automatic cannon fire. The president ] died in the palace at this time. Restoration projects of the damage caused were completed in March 1981, although some bullet marks have been preserved and can still be seen today. During the 1973–1980 restorations, an underground office complex (the so-called "bunker") was built under the front square to provide a safe escape for the dictator ] in case of an attack.
It was partially destroyed by aerial bombing during a military coup d'etat led by General ] in September 11, 1973. Reconstruction and restoration projects were completed on March 11, 1981. A bunker was built under the front square.


Under the presidency of ], the palace was painted white.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web|title=Palacio de La Moneda|url=https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/896521/clasicos-de-arquitectura-la-moneda-joaquin-toesca|access-date=18 February 2021|website=Plataforma Arquitectura|date=3 July 2018 }}</ref> During President ]'s administration, the palace's inner courtyards were opened to the public during certain hours of the day. Lagos also re-opened ]—a gate used by Chilean presidents to enter the palace since the early 20th century. It was eliminated during the restoration of the palace as not being in the original plans, but was restored because of the heavy symbolism attached to it as being the gate through which Chilean Presidents entered La Moneda skipping the main's gate guard protocol or, in other words, as ordinary citizens of the country. It was also the gate through which the body of President Allende was taken out after the 1973 coup.
President ] decided to open La Moneda to the public. Thus, during certain hours of the day, people of all ages can cross the palace and walk through the courtyards.


]
Today, La Moneda houses the offices of the President and three Cabinet ministers: Interior, General Secretariat of the Presidency and General Secretariat of the Government.
A traditional ] ceremony takes place every two days <ref></ref> on odd-numbered days in odd-numbered months, even-numbered days in even-numbered months, including Sundays, at 10 a.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends (as of June 2015). A formal ceremony dating back to the 1850s, it lasts about 30 minutes and includes a band playing, troops with horses parading into the square, and much pomp and circumstance. The ] provides the guard unit and band for the ceremony, the guard unit being composed of a ] battalion and a ] squadron.

==Architecture==

===Construction===
] had worked on many public buildings in ], including the ], before he was engaged to design the new royal mint that would become the Palacio de la Moneda.

Works on the building started in 1784, with building materials arriving the following year from around Chile and the world: ] from the Polpaico country estate; sand from the ]; red stones from a quarry at the ] in Santiago; white stone from the neighbouring ]; oak and cypress wood from ]; Spanish metal works from ]. Twenty varieties of brick were baked in Santiago for the construction of lintels, comers, floors, moldings, and of the solid walls more than a meter thick.<ref name="Palacio de la Moneda"> UNESCO website, retrieved 2 February 2013.</ref>

Toesca died in 1799, before seeing his work finished, and military engineer Agustin Cavallero took over the project. The “Mint House of Santiago de Chile” finally opened in 1805.<ref name="Palacio de la Moneda"/>

In 1929, an annex was commissioned the then President ] to give the palace a facade to face the Alameda Avenue, the main street of Santiago.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Rodríguez|first=Hernán|url=http://www.memoriachilena.gob.cl/602/w3-article-7740.html|title=Palacio de la Moneda|publisher=Dibam|year=1983|location=Santiago|language=Spanish}}</ref> The project was designed by Josué Smith strictly following the design of the original construction.<ref name=":0" /> The three-floor annex was built using part of the original construction that was occupied until that date by the mint, which was relocated to a site adjacent to ].

In 1940, a former mint pavilion, part of the original design of Toesca, was demolished to make way for the Patio de los Naranjos.<ref name=":0" />

===Architectural style===
The Palacio de la Moneda is built in a pure ] style with ] influences. The building's wide, horizontal shape and rectangular composition conveys strength and stability, according to the palace's listing on the ] website. Its main façade faces Moneda street, and its rooms are distributed along the transverse and longitudinal ] forming several ]s.<ref name="Palacio de la Moneda"/>

Behind this façade lie three patios: the Patio de los Cañones, which functions as an entrance hall; a covered patio; and finally the Patio de los Naranjos, where presidential ceremonies take place.

The architecture website ARQHYS.com states that the Palacio de la Moneda is “the only structure in the pure ] that exists in ].” <ref> ARQHYS.com Architecture and Construction team, ARQHYS.com, retrieved 4 February 2013.</ref>

The building has been subject to several modifications throughout the years, made by different presidents. The last great restoration of the building was carried out after the ], when large portions of the building were destroyed or damaged.<ref name="Palacio de la Moneda"/>

===Plaza de la Ciudadanía===

To celebrate the bicentenary of Chile's independence in 2010, a new public square called the ] (‘’Citizenry Square’’ in Spanish) was constructed on the south side of the palace stretching down to the ] or “Alameda”. Construction began in May 2004 and the plaza was inaugurated in December 2005.

Designed by Undurraga Devés Arquitectos, the Plaza de la Ciudadanía has been called “one of the most important public works in the last century” by Chile's Plataforma Arquitectura website.<ref> David Basulto, Plataforma Arquitectura, retrieved 2 February 2013.</ref> Paths leading down from the plaza give access to the underground ], which hosts a range of exhibitions on Chilean culture and history.<ref>{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ThisisChile.cl, 31 May 2010, retrieved 4 February 2013.</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center">
Image:Palacio de LaMoneda02.png|Front view of La Moneda
Image:Patiodelosnaranjos.jpg|Orange trees yard inside La Moneda
Image:Plaza Ciudadania1.jpg|Citizenry Square
Image:Plaza Ciudadania2.jpg|Statue of the President ] at Citizenry Square
Image:Plaza de la Ciudadanía 2.jpg|Statue of Alessandri at Citizenry Square
Image:Salonazul.JPG|The "blue room" where the president receives his or her visitors
Image:Patiodeloscañones.jpg|Cannon yard inside La Moneda
File:Vista Capilla Palacio La Moneda.jpg|The chapel
</gallery>

==See also==
* ]
* ]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Palacio de La Moneda}}
*
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324140732/http://www.gobiernodechile.cl/la-moneda/ |date=2013-03-24 }}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527105314/http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias_v2/site/edic/2008_04_16_1/port/fk_webcam.html |date=2011-05-27 }}

{{Presidential palaces in South America}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|33.443018|S|70.653870|W|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moneda, la}}
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Latest revision as of 14:02, 20 November 2024

Building in Santiago, Chile
La Moneda Palace
Palacio de La Moneda
View of La Moneda from the Plaza de la Constitución
General information
Architectural styleNeoclassical
Town or citySantiago
CountryChile
Construction started1784
Completed1805
ClientGovernment of Chile
Design and construction
Architect(s)Joaquín Toesca

Palacio de La Moneda (Spanish: [paˈlasjo ðe la moˈneða], Palace of the Mint), or simply La Moneda, is the seat of the president of the Republic of Chile. It also houses the offices of three cabinet ministers: Interior, General Secretariat of the Presidency, and General Secretariat of the Government. Located in downtown Santiago, it occupies an entire block in the Civic District, bordered by Moneda street to the north, Morandé street to the east, Alameda del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins to the south, and Teatinos street to the west.

History

La Moneda, was the colonial mint house of the city during colonial times, was designed by the Italian architect Joaquín Toesca. Construction began in 1784 and was opened in 1805. The production of coins in Chile took place at La Moneda from 1814 to 1929.

La Moneda pictured on September 11, 1973 after being bombed
La Moneda Palace in 1872, as pictured by Recaredo Santos Tornero in Chile Ilustrado
Military parade in front of the Palacio de La Moneda in 1944
Main facade of the Palacio de La Moneda

In June 1845 during president Manuel Bulnes's administration, the palace became the seat of government and presidential residence. In 1930, a public square—named Plaza de la Constitución ("Constitution Square")—was built in front of the palace. After the presidency of Gabriel González Videla it ceased to serve as a presidential residence.

During the military coup d'état on September 11, 1973, the Chilean Air Force strafed the palace with unguided rockets and automatic cannon fire. The president Salvador Allende died in the palace at this time. Restoration projects of the damage caused were completed in March 1981, although some bullet marks have been preserved and can still be seen today. During the 1973–1980 restorations, an underground office complex (the so-called "bunker") was built under the front square to provide a safe escape for the dictator Augusto Pinochet in case of an attack.

Under the presidency of Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, the palace was painted white. During President Ricardo Lagos's administration, the palace's inner courtyards were opened to the public during certain hours of the day. Lagos also re-opened Morandé 80—a gate used by Chilean presidents to enter the palace since the early 20th century. It was eliminated during the restoration of the palace as not being in the original plans, but was restored because of the heavy symbolism attached to it as being the gate through which Chilean Presidents entered La Moneda skipping the main's gate guard protocol or, in other words, as ordinary citizens of the country. It was also the gate through which the body of President Allende was taken out after the 1973 coup.

Changing of the Guard

A traditional changing of the guard ceremony takes place every two days on odd-numbered days in odd-numbered months, even-numbered days in even-numbered months, including Sundays, at 10 a.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends (as of June 2015). A formal ceremony dating back to the 1850s, it lasts about 30 minutes and includes a band playing, troops with horses parading into the square, and much pomp and circumstance. The Carabineros de Chile provides the guard unit and band for the ceremony, the guard unit being composed of a Foot Guards battalion and a Horse Guards squadron.

Architecture

Construction

Joaquín Toesca had worked on many public buildings in colonial Chile, including the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, before he was engaged to design the new royal mint that would become the Palacio de la Moneda.

Works on the building started in 1784, with building materials arriving the following year from around Chile and the world: limestone from the Polpaico country estate; sand from the Maipo River; red stones from a quarry at the Cerro San Cristóbal in Santiago; white stone from the neighbouring Cerro Blanco; oak and cypress wood from Valdivia; Spanish metal works from Vizcaya. Twenty varieties of brick were baked in Santiago for the construction of lintels, comers, floors, moldings, and of the solid walls more than a meter thick.

Toesca died in 1799, before seeing his work finished, and military engineer Agustin Cavallero took over the project. The “Mint House of Santiago de Chile” finally opened in 1805.

In 1929, an annex was commissioned the then President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo to give the palace a facade to face the Alameda Avenue, the main street of Santiago. The project was designed by Josué Smith strictly following the design of the original construction. The three-floor annex was built using part of the original construction that was occupied until that date by the mint, which was relocated to a site adjacent to Quinta Normal Park.

In 1940, a former mint pavilion, part of the original design of Toesca, was demolished to make way for the Patio de los Naranjos.

Architectural style

The Palacio de la Moneda is built in a pure neoclassical style with Roman Doric influences. The building's wide, horizontal shape and rectangular composition conveys strength and stability, according to the palace's listing on the UNESCO website. Its main façade faces Moneda street, and its rooms are distributed along the transverse and longitudinal axes forming several patios.

Behind this façade lie three patios: the Patio de los Cañones, which functions as an entrance hall; a covered patio; and finally the Patio de los Naranjos, where presidential ceremonies take place.

The architecture website ARQHYS.com states that the Palacio de la Moneda is “the only structure in the pure Italian neoclassical style that exists in Latin America.”

The building has been subject to several modifications throughout the years, made by different presidents. The last great restoration of the building was carried out after the 1973 military coup, when large portions of the building were destroyed or damaged.

Plaza de la Ciudadanía

To celebrate the bicentenary of Chile's independence in 2010, a new public square called the Plaza de la Ciudadanía (‘’Citizenry Square’’ in Spanish) was constructed on the south side of the palace stretching down to the Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins or “Alameda”. Construction began in May 2004 and the plaza was inaugurated in December 2005.

Designed by Undurraga Devés Arquitectos, the Plaza de la Ciudadanía has been called “one of the most important public works in the last century” by Chile's Plataforma Arquitectura website. Paths leading down from the plaza give access to the underground Palacio de La Moneda Cultural Center, which hosts a range of exhibitions on Chilean culture and history.

Gallery

  • Front view of La Moneda Front view of La Moneda
  • Orange trees yard inside La Moneda Orange trees yard inside La Moneda
  • Citizenry Square Citizenry Square
  • Statue of the President Arturo Alessandri at Citizenry Square Statue of the President Arturo Alessandri at Citizenry Square
  • Statue of Alessandri at Citizenry Square Statue of Alessandri at Citizenry Square
  • The "blue room" where the president receives his or her visitors The "blue room" where the president receives his or her visitors
  • Cannon yard inside La Moneda Cannon yard inside La Moneda
  • The chapel The chapel

See also

References

  1. ^ Andrew Benson; Melissa Graham (2009). The Rough Guide to Chile. Penguin. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-4053-8381-3. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  2. "www.letsgochile.com: La Moneda Palace". Archived from the original on 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  3. "Palacio de La Moneda". Plataforma Arquitectura. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  4. Changing of the Guard
  5. ^ Palacio de la Moneda UNESCO website, retrieved 2 February 2013.
  6. ^ Rodríguez, Hernán (1983). Palacio de la Moneda (in Spanish). Santiago: Dibam.
  7. Palacio de la Moneda ARQHYS.com Architecture and Construction team, ARQHYS.com, retrieved 4 February 2013.
  8. Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda – Plaza de la Ciudadanía/Undurraga Devés Arquitectos David Basulto, Plataforma Arquitectura, retrieved 2 February 2013.
  9. Palacio La Moneda Cultural Center will exhibit Latin American gold and silver artwork ThisisChile.cl, 31 May 2010, retrieved 4 February 2013.

External links

Presidential palaces in South America
By country

33°26′35″S 70°39′14″W / 33.443018°S 70.653870°W / -33.443018; -70.653870

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