Barrio Brazil

By Zenan Delaney

Not to be missed; Bohemian Barrio Brazil is a favorite haunt of students and musicians. The area has great nightlife, good restaurants, a host of museums and was declared a conservation area by local authorities. Strewn with beautiful old buildings; some predating the early 1900’s. It has a lot of streets that are still cobbled; which make for a romantic ambience. An insight into the well-to-do society of early 20th century Santiago, Barrio Brazil is a beautiful part of historical Santiago, worth the visit.

Life is in the barrio is centered on Plaza Brazil. During the day, you’ll find children playing amidst the sculptures by Federica Matta (daughter of Roberto Matta, a famous Chilean painter). Night, transforms the plaza into a meeting point for young people before they go partying in the clubs and bars. The plaza is a short walk from Metro station Cumming (green line). On and around the streets Ricardo Cumming and Av. Brazil you’ll find a wide choice of bars, cafes and restaurants to suite most tastes. Along Calle Concha y Toro (a short distance from Metro station Republica on line 1, the red line) you’ll discover a trendy bar & restaurant, Zully, that draws a crowd for its fancy cocktails.

Culture lovers will find good theatres a few blocks from Metro station Republica (red line), such as Teatro Palomera. The Centro Cultural Matucana 100, a renowned visual art gallery and performing arts venue, along with the Biblioteca de Santiago, the cities main library, can be found on Av. Matucana, near Metro station Quinta Normal (green line).

Quinta Normal, Santiago’s oldest park, founded as botanical gardens in 1830, has it all. In the park you’ll find the following: Museo de Historia Natural, Museo de Ciencia y Technolgia, Pabellon Gay, Centro Cultural Municipal, Museo Infantil, the Centro de Extensión Balmaceda, Museo de Arte Contempeoráneo, Parque Museo Ferroviario, along with a sports center and Metro Station Quinta Normal (green line). Around the park area you’ll find, the Museo Artequin and the Basilica Lourdes. A block away from the park on Escuela Normal is the Museo Pedagologico Gabriella Mistral, a famous Chilean writer.

The cities main railway station, Metro Estación Central (red line) Constructed in 1897, boasts an Art Nouveau glass roof. Around the central station are many market stalls and importers, worthwhile for the budget shopper.

Metro access is good in the area, but taxis are a wise choice after the metro stops running at 10.30pm (10pm Sundays), as bus services can be poor.