Valparaiso with Santiago Jewish History and City Highlights, Private Tour

General information

Destination	Category
Valparaiso, Chile	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Join us on this tour and learn all about the deep Jewish legacy of Chile. Throughout history, Jews have been prominent Chilean politicians and have had influence in many other fields of social life. They even played a key role in the founding of the country. Approximately 12,500 of Chile’s 15,000 Jews today live in the capital, Santiago. Since 1920, Chile implemented a stark separation between church and state. This immensely helped the Jews rise to the upper echelons of society. The country counts with two day schools, a clinic and an old age home for the Jewish community, and the University of Chile in Santiago has offered Jewish Studies since 1968.

Begin your tour by driving from Valparaiso to Santiago. You will pass through the world-renowned wine-producing valleys of Casablanca. Once in Santiago, begin by seeing the basic landmarks. Travel to the historical centre to see the Presidential Palace “La Moneda” and Constitution Square. See too the impressive Plaza de Armas, where you can find the Cathedral, the Ex-Governor’s Palace and the National Historic Museum.

From there, travel to the upper residential neighbourhood of Las Condes and pass the largest Jewish school in the city, the Haim Weizman-Ort Hebrew Institute. In Las Condes, visit the Estadio Israelita Club and the Synagogue. Contemplate too the Ten Commandments Monument, said to have been copied from the Old Jerusalem Bible. Wrap up the experience with a stop at the Main Santiago Synagogue. It will be a truly enlightening day.

Meeting/pick-up point: Hotel Lobby.
Duration: Eight hours.
Start/opening time: 9am.
Languages: English, Spanish .