La Sebastiana, Santiago Severín Library, Cathedral & Natural History Museum Tour

The realms of art, science, and literature merge beautifully during this guided walking tour through Valparaíso. Participants will have the opportunity to discover the vibrant surroundings of Plaza Victoria, which houses the Santiago Severín Library, the Cathedral, and the Natural History Museum. Additionally, we will ascend to Cerro Bellavista to explore La Sebastiana, the charming house museum of Pablo Neruda.

Tour Overview

Your journey will initiate at the Arco Británico, where we will embark on a brief stroll to Plaza Victoria. This historic square is adjacent to three of the most significant cultural and religious sites in Valparaíso: the Biblioteca Santiago Severín, the Catedral de Valparaíso, and the Museo de Historia Natural de Valparaíso.

Kicking off at the Santiago Severín Library, recognized as a genuine library of importance and the second oldest in Chile, next to the National Library in Santiago, we will admire its unique architectural features while learning about Severín, an influential political figure from the early 20th century.

Following this, we’ll head into the Cathedral of Valparaíso, dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen and the Holy Spirit. During our exploration of this Neo-Gothic structure from the early 1900s, we will discuss its historical significance and the associated devotions. Our next stop will be the Natural History Museum, housed in the Palacio Lyon, where we’ll examine an extensive array of both vertebrate and invertebrate taxidermy framed within this stunning 19th-century building.

After concluding our museum visit, we’ll proceed to the Ascensor Espíritu Santo, which will transport us to the vibrant murals comprising the Museo a Cielo Abierto de Valparaíso. Once we take in the creative expressions on Cerro Bellavista, we will make our way to La Sebastiana, the once-residential haven of Pablo Neruda, now serving as a museum in honor of the poet.

Throughout our time together, we’ll delve into the life and literary contributions of the Nobel Prize-winner of 1971, bringing this enriching 2.5-hour exploration of Valparaíso to a close at the entrance of La Sebastiana.