Last Updated on May 24, 2022
In our Santiago quick guide, we talked about how Santiago is the kind of city that takes awhile to reveal itself, lacking any real landmark attractions outside of the Cathedral and the Plaza de Armas, and the Gran Torre de Santiago, South America’s highest skyscraper. However, there are so many interesting, if less obvious, charms to Santiago. For example, just down the rushing Maipocho River from the tower, set in a long, wide green space between one of the city’s main avenues, is a sculpture park with dozens of intelligent pieces. The park is subtle, yet, in true Chilean style, impeccably carried out. But we found beautiful stone, wooden and bronze sculptures in Santiago de Chile that aren’t mentioned in any travel guides. There’s public art basically in every neighborhood throughout the city, not just in the sculpture park – and some of the best were even just along the bike path where we walked the dogs every morning.
Join us on a tour of our favorite sculptures in Santiago de Chile – starting at the city’s main square, the Plaza de Armas, where you find this giant carved stone face, a testament to Chile’s Indigenous populations.
I loved this bronze sculpture on the Pedro de Valdivia bridge in the Providencia neighborhood:
Other bronze favorites included the ‘kissing couple’ and the ‘women’s legs’.
A unique sculpture in Santiago de Chile’s Bicentennial Park:
The sculptures at the city cemetery’s main entrance are darker:
The Santiago Sculpture Park had some great pieces, like the muscle man hanging from a steal rope and the standing needle:
Another sculpture in the sculpture park:
Throughout the city there are many sculptures of faces…
…and I particularly liked this one:
A fountain with standing figures in Barrio Brasil:
The best animal sculptures included a horse by Fernandero Botero and a dog on Cerro Santa Lucia:
The art in the Providencia neighborhood matched the contemporary vibe in the area:
Other sculptures that caught our attention:
Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
48 Hours in Santiago de Chile | GlobetrotterGirls
Thursday 11th of May 2017
[…] right inside the free Sculpture Park, which has the best concentration of public art in Santiago, a city proud of its public art collection. Within walking distance of the Gran Torre de Santiago, which is the tallest building in South […]
Cacinda Maloney
Friday 22nd of February 2013
I have never seen some of these a lived in Santiago quite a few years ago. Yes, I think Santiago takes a while to reveal herself to the traveler. Thanks for sharing!
Dani
Friday 22nd of February 2013
Thanks, Cacinda! A lot of people we met who have been to Santiago were lukewarm on the city - I truly think it needs at least a week or ten days to be fully explored.
Althea Young
Wednesday 20th of February 2013
I've never been into this place. Wow, I love their sculptures. The huge women’s legs is looks nice!
Dani
Saturday 23rd of February 2013
Thanks, Althea! I agree with you - the legs are really nice ;-)
Amanda
Wednesday 20th of February 2013
Ooo, cool post! I really like the one in the park with the people on bikes!
Dani
Friday 22nd of February 2013
Thanks, Amanda! The people on the bikes were just awesome! It's actually a huuuuuge sculpture, I don't think it comes across how big it is.
Nicole @ Suitcasestories.com
Wednesday 20th of February 2013
What a beautifully artistic city! Santiago has always been on our list but its just moved up a couple of notches!
I love these sculptures, so original. And the photos are great!
Dani
Friday 22nd of February 2013
Thanks, Nicole! It really is an artistic city - so many talented painters and sculptors and also street artists! Well worth a visit for sure :)