Santa Lucia Of Santiago, Chile: A Hill Of Prayers And Fortification

A brief history of Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia Hill offers more than just a viewpoint. The hill is a remnant of a 15 million-year-old volcano. In more recent history, Pedro de Valdivia conquered the hill in 1540 on the day they celebrate Saint Lucia, hence its name.

Within a year after the conquest, a chickenpox outbreak took place. Missionaries turned Santa Lucia Hill into a place of worship to ward off the outbreak. That’s why you’ll see ruins of altars and churches in some parts of the hill. The fortification came long after in 1816. Two castles were built north and south of the hill, while forts were found on some defensive points of the hill, including the famous Ford Hidalgo.

Major changes took place about 60 years later when areas that were used as a burial ground were dugout. Rocky paths were upgraded to roads, parks, and gardens were also built around the area. What you see now is the restored version of Santa Lucia Hill, with its history maintained.

The former places of worship

Even though it was assigned as a place of worship during the chickenpox outbreak, Santa Lucia Hill was always considered as hallowed ground. Mackenna himself constructed a chapel at the top of the hill decades after the outbreak and is still standing today. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public but admiring the old construction from the outside will not disappoint.

One interesting story you need to know is how one part of the hill was used as a burial site. Back then, it was called the cemetery for the dissidents. Those who were not following the Roman Catholic faith could not be buried at the general cemetery. So, instead, they were buried on the hillside of Saint Lucia Hill. However, as mentioned before, the remains were removed and buried elsewhere decades ago.

The fortification

Since it was first conquered, Santa Lucia Hill has been the most strategic spot in Santiago de Chile. Hallowed ground or not, building fortifications on this hill was always the main priority. Besides the brick-walled forts, Santa Lucia Hill itself is the perfect fortification. Its tall bed of rocks and its position right in the middle of the city makes it a great place both to defend and to attack intruders. So, it should come as no surprise that these forts are the main attractions of Santa Lucia Hill.

On the hill’s courtyards, you will see some cannons overlooking the city. Some are just statues, but some actually still work. In fact, on the day they celebrate Santa Lucia, it is tradition to fire one of the canons. So, when you’re in Santiago on December 13th, don’t be alarmed if you hear a blast at high noon.

What is Santa Lucia Hill today?

All of these amazing facts about Santa Lucia Hill make it worth visiting when you’re in Santiago, Chile. The hill still stands tall among the modern apartments and skyscrapers surrounding it. Thanks to major changes, visitors can explore the hill easier through the roads and paths. And at the top, the view of the whole city with the Andes mountain range in the background awaits!

There are plenty of gardens and terraces within the hill areas where you can relax and enjoy the view. We recommend you bring a good book and pick a spot to sit! Bring your own food and beverage to have a little picnic overlooking the city. There are some food vendors here as well if you prefer. Who’s in the mood for an empanada?

My favorite part of Santa Lucia Hill can be seen from the moment you set foot on the hill. Don’t get me wrong, I recommend you to go up the hill and enjoy the view from the top. However, the two stairways leading to a big fountain in front of a castle simply stole my heart. It’s amazing how tranquil it is inside the fortress, even though it’s located right next to busy streets.

Things you need to know before visiting

Budget travelers will be happy to know that there’s no entrance fee for Santa Lucia Hill. All you have to do is sign the guest book at the front gate! Visitors are welcome every day from 9 am to 7 pm.

Another reason why you should visit Santa Lucia Hill is how easy it is to get there. If you’re planning to explore Santiago, chances are you will pass it at least a couple of times. It is right in the middle of the city, and it is not far from most of the metro lines. In fact, one of the metro stations is located right next to the hill. As you can guess, the station is also called Santa Lucia.

To get here, you need to be on Line 1 which goes from Pajaritos to Los Dominicos. Getting on a metro in Santiago is easy. But first, you need to purchase a transit card. You can get it at any metro station. Some are through an automated machine like an ATM and some are through ticket counters. Either way, the ticketing officers are available to help you. We provide a link to Metro de Santiago’s official website below.