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| A view of Plaza Victoria Image: rutaschile.com |
Plaza Victoria, also known as Plaza de la Victoria, is an emblematic and historically significant place in the port city of Valparaiso, located in the El Almendral neighborhood. The plaza is named in honor of Chile’s triumph in the war against the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation, following the victory at the Battle of Yungay in January 1839. This historical and cultural landmark was once a beach until the 17th century and later became a bullring.
Environment and Architecture
Today, Plaza Victoria is a venue for cultural and social events. Covering an area of 5,768 square meters, it is surrounded by Chacabuco, Molina, Plaza Victoria, and Edwards streets. Together with Plaza Simón Bolívar, it forms an important urban nucleus in the city, attracting numerous visitors. A popular song from the 1960s even sings: “Plaza de la Victoria is a great social center🎵🎵..."
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| Image: urbatorivm.blogspot.com |
After independence, the plaza was known by several names, including Plaza O'Higgins, Nueva, and Orrego. However, in 1841, it was renamed Plaza de la Victoria, replacing its old name, Plaza Orrego, to commemorate Chile's recent military triumph over the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation.
From that point on, various urbanization and beautification projects were undertaken, and the plaza began to gain prominence as a venue for social gatherings, as well as commercial and recreational activities.
Today, the plaza’s floor is adorned with sinusoidal tiles, and it features several statues of artistic and historical significance:
- The Fuente Francesa, located in the center of the square, is a fountain brought from France, flanked by four statues symbolizing the seasons of the year. It was installed in the late 1860s or early 1870s. The fountain is based on the work of sculptor Mathurin Moreau, with its base decorated with mythological figures representing four classical gods of water and the seas: Neptune, god of fresh water and the sea; Amphitrite, an ancient goddess of the calm sea and wife of Poseidon; Acis, god of the river of the same name near Etna in Sicily; and Galatea, Acis's beloved and creator of the river, who is sometimes identified as Rhoda, daughter of the sea king and queen. At the top, four children holding hands support a smaller basin.
Other interesting ornamental pieces are the two lions located at one of its entrances. These figures would evoke those of the Teatro de la Victoria, collapsed by the 1906 earthquake.
Valparaiso is a historical city with ancient traditions. Its old buildings reflect this past, some of them around this square:
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| Image: clubnaval.cl |
- Teatro Condell, located at 1585 Condell St., is a theater and cinema that opened in 1912, adjacent to the gallery that bears its name with a capacity of 350 spectators. Built by the Italian architect Antonio Lafoglia.
- Valparaiso Cathedral, 1774 Chacabuco St. The Gothic building was built between 1910 and 1950 on land donated by Juana Ross Edwards. It was restored after the earthquakes of 1971 and 1985.
In the crypt, next to the graves of the diocesan bishops, the heart of the Minister of State, Mr. Diego Portales, is kept in a bronze amphora. Daily, at 7:00 p.m. you can hear the cathedral bells ringing.
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- Santiago Severin Public Library, 1653 Yungay St., in front of Plaza Simon Bolivar.
It was established on February 27, 1873, making it the first public library in Chile after the Biblioteca Nacional. The building, featuring a mix of neoclassical and neo-Renaissance styles, was inaugurated on October 26, 1919, and named after its benefactor, Santiago Severin. The library currently houses around 82,000 books, along with approximately 260,000 copies of newspapers and magazines.
Location of Plaza Victoria
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