Cerro Santa Lucía

Small rocky hill in the heart of Santiago — the historic founding site of the city, transformed in the 19th century into a romantic park with views of the Andes.

Cerro Santa Lucía is a small but striking andesitic basalt hill rising from the very centre of Santiago, Chile's capital. Its original Mapuche name is Huelén, and according to tradition it was from this rock that conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded the city of Santiago in 1541. At a summit elevation of 629 metres it rises only 69 metres above the surrounding streets, yet it shapes the cityscape in a way that belies its modest height. In the 19th century Mayor Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna had the bare rocky ridge planted with trees, adorned with romantic stairways, pavilions, fountains, and viewing platforms, and opened to the public as a park. Since then Cerro Santa Lucía has been one of the most beloved spots in central Santiago — a green refuge offering panoramic views over the city and toward the Andes.