Valparaíso

Valparaíso is built upon dozens of steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean and serves as the headquarters for the Chilean National Congress. In the second half ot fhe 19th century the city played an important geopolitical role, when it served as a major stopover for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by crossing the Strait of Magellan. Valparaíso was declared a World Heritage Site in 2003 based upon its improvised urban design and unique architecture as well as its unusual system of funicular lifts. The city nowadays is in a deep sleep but features thousands of tourists every year (however fewest among them stay there, they do only a day trip).

One can see Valparaíso's glorious past when standing at Plaza Sotomayor. The focus of the square is the monument that honors the Chilean sailors who fell during the Battle of Iquique and the Battle of Punta Gruesa. On the opposite side is the building that housed the Intendencia de Valparaíso, which currently is home to the headquarters of the Chilean Navy. Beautiful and interesting port city.