Captive for a day

Plaza Sotomayor, Cerros Alegre and Concepción

The roads to get to know a city are endless. If you have only one day in Valparaiso, there are landmarks, attractions and places significant in the city that can not lose.

Plaza Sotomayor, scene of urban evolution of Valparaiso, unique space that connects the mountains and the sea. Hard esplanade surrounded by heritage buildings, with the Monument to the Heroes of Iquique in a prominent place. At the edge of marel Muelle Prat and the enormous cranes, the movement of ships and boats of all sizes and colors that offer tours of the bay near the dock a craft fair. It is worth pausing a moment to breathe air and sea port. The square at the other end finishes in the building of the Commander in Chief of the Navy. On the sidewalk at his feet, a plaque indicates how far the sea of old, testament to the great enterprise of land for the city beat. From this point opens the option to go to Cerro Alegre, on the far left or interned by the plan.

The elegance of the houses of the nineteenth-century English colony at Cerro Alegre and its good state of preservation are seen leaving the elevator to ride Yugoslav beautiful view to one of the best views of the bay. Highlights here with their air Baburizza Palace Art Nouveau and Art Museum, now under restoration heritage. Beside the square staircase Apollo is an alternative to return to the plan. But not venture down the byways of the hills of Valparaiso is unthinkable. Rise from the bottom of the square a narrow street Miramar. Found himself faced with the House and up Proa Cerro Alegre houses falling into the ravine, one of the most typical postal architecture in Buenos Aires. Across the street crossing arch Bavestrello Passage. Walk down the long staircase deck and experience the sensation of going "inside" of the houses. Go down the curves of Alvaro Besa street to the junction with Urriola another corner that shows the architecture of Valparaiso to the full. A ladder in front of you and Cerro Concepcion left the commercial district in plan.

If you proceeded through the hills, climb the long ladder to Cerro Concepción. Bordering old buildings with high walls Galvez came to the passage, which leads to their street paved byways Papudo. The heart of a small neighborhood, very well preserved, with small bars, hotels and restaurants, designer shops and crafts, a mixture of modernity and tradition. From Papudo accessing the Paseo Gervasoni, other important and beautiful view of Valparaiso. Here is the Casa Mirador de Lukas, cartoonist who portrayed the soul of Buenos Aires in the 60's and the Grand Hotel, successful restoration of a huge mansion in the late nineteenth century, like all of the sector. At the other end of the ride is the Elevator Concepcion, who first settled in the city in 1883. If it's lunchtime, you have two choices: eat at one of the good restaurants of this hill, many with great views of the bay or down to plan the lift, the lively cafes on the Plaza Aníbal Pinto.

Commercial District, Cerro Bellavista and Florida, Almendral

When you return to the plan will reach the historic commercial and financial district of Valparaiso. Forward half block to the right and look behind another perspective typical: cruise the streets in the Edwards Building and Turri Clock tower, a symbol of the city. A short walk to the valuable building of the newspaper El Mercurio de Valparaíso, the oldest publication of Spanish-speaking world, operating here since 1901. Amid the commercial hustle and narrow paths, you have to look up to see the old buildings that happen to Plaza Aníbal Pinto, formerly known as the Hotel Royal. Already in the square, the former Hotel Dimmi, former Café Riquet, the Library Ivens, the source with Neptune, the God of Waters, given the context of property to an area of great urban life. Here comes the Almirante Montt street, coming down from the Cerros Alegre and Concepción hills part Cumming Jail and the Pantheon, Piazza finishes Bellavista, the city's civic center. The café where the streets welcome visitors for a moment of rest and observation.

A little more than a block along Calle Condell, you get to Bellavista Street. Up in a clearing, there is a bus stop and taxis. Board the No. 39 group, which will take you through the hills Bellavista and Florida to La Sebastiana, Valparaiso home of the famous poet Pablo Neruda. With a wonderful view over the bay, offers guided tours around the corners and ingenious collection of the poet. It has an exhibition hall, bookstore and souvenir and coffee. After the visit, we suggest walking down Hector Calvo street until you see the colorful wooden building which hosts the Valparaiso Foundation, with its designer shops and crafts and a restaurant. Near Open Air Museum, murals of important artists: Mario Carreno, Roberto Matta, Roser Bru, Nemesio Antunez, Mario Toral, Gracia Barros, José Balmes, among others. You can follow the trail of the murals to the plan or the elevator down the Holy Spirit.

It reaches the broadest level of Valparaiso: El Almendral. And Edwards street or street Huito the stately Victoria Square, where Buenos Aires of all ages walk and rest under big trees. Opposite the Cathedral of Valparaiso and the same side of a trolley stop, the electric motor buses world's oldest functioning. Upload one of them is to go to another time, just fast enough to see the city through its windows.