- Address: Fernando Márquez de La Plata 0192, Santiago, Providencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile;
- Website: fundacionneruda.org;
- Phone: +56 2 2777 8741;
- Work time: Tues. - Sun. from 10:00 to 18:00;
- Ticket price: $ 4 ($ 1.5 for students upon presentation of the ticket).
Poets, and indeed creative people, have extraordinary thinking and a wide flight of thought. The same was the favorite Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who, for meetings with his beloved, built a whole house. Today it is one of the most famous museums in Santiago , where all tourists are brought - Pablo Neruda's house "La Chascona". It is located in the most fashionable and exquisite area of the city - Bellavista .
History of creation
The life of the poet resembles a novel - it cost him to return from exile, as he met and fell in love with Matilda Urrutia, who agreed to become his wife. But before the wedding, lovers needed a place to meet. As a local celebrity, Pablo had to keep an eye on his image. For this reason, in 1953 the construction of one of the most picturesque houses of Santiago began. The name "La Chascone" from one Spanish dialect is translated as a naughty curl, just this was in the hair of the beloved poet.
However, Matilda was not the poet's only passion. In the interior of the house embodied his other great love - to the sea. The living room is like a lighthouse, and the dining room is an exact copy of the captain's cabin. The walls are decorated with various paintings, one of which is the two-faced Matilda.
The fate of the love nest
During the military coup the house was badly damaged, but the faithful companion of the poet was engaged in his restoration. Matilda looked after the love nest for many years after her husband's death.
Tourists have a chance to see the poet's huge library, a small bedroom in the tower. The exposition tells about the twenty years of the poet's life with his third wife. Wander around the house will be interesting even for those who are not familiar with the creativity of Pablo Neruda, because the dwelling represents a real maze of rooms. The house of La Chascona is also interesting because of its architecture, because it literally cuts into the mountain of San Cristobal . In its form, and the house resembles a ship, the master's passion for the sea is guessed. Everything remained in it, as was the life of the poet, even the furniture that Pablo Neruda made with his own hands.
How to get there?
You can see the landmark by visiting the Chilean capital , Santiago . Departing to the most expensive area of the city - Bellavista.