• Santiago is the largest city in Chile and is its capital. Founded in 1541 by a Spanish conquistador it was established as an outpost in the outer most regions of Spain's colonial empire, gaining its independence in the 19th century. Santiago is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains, which provides for beautiful scenery. There are many architectural national monuments within Santiago.
  
  

Club de La Union de Santiago

• The union club house of Santiago was opened in 1925 and declared a national monument in 1981. The club itself began in 1864 with 60 members, all of whom were related to one another. The club has hosted some of the most posh and exclusive parties of the Chilean aristocracy and is where their rules of society, fashion and etiquette were formed. It was built in the French style of the 20th century and by some is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Chile. The walls are made from green and white marble. The bar is carved wood and the longest one in the entire continent. There are 17,000 books in the private library, which is one of the biggest private collections in the country.
  
  

La Estación Central or Alameda de Ferrocarriles

• This roughly translates to the central station or tree-lined avenue of railroads. This rail station was officially opened on September 14, 1857 but construction was not completed until 1885. The design focal point of the station is the roof that covers the train platforms. With a complicated framework, this enormous metal structure was the idea of a senator who had seen a similar station in Paris. The station was designed by the French architect Gustav Eiffel. Much like the Eiffel tower materials had to be shipped to their final location separately, via train and ship, and then put together at their destination. It was declared a historical monument in 1983.
  
  

Teatro Municipal de Santiago

• The Municipal Theater of Santiago was inaugurated on September 17, 1857. In honor of the inauguration of the opera "Ernani" by Guiseppe Verdi performed by an Italian company that was brought in especially for the occasion. This project was made possible by a few notable engineers and architects. The architect Francisco Brunet de Baines and the engineer Augusto Charme collaborated with each other and with Charles Garnier, who built both the Paris Opera House and the Casio in Monte Carlo. The main theater has a seating capacity of 1,500 and was declared a historical monument in 1974.