Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

Ethnographic museum · Monserrat

Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

Ethnographic museum · Monserrat

Bandera 361, 8320298 Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile

Highlights

Nestled in an elegant 1805 building, this museum showcases stunning pre-Columbian art alongside a vibrant gift shop and café, making it a must-visit in Santiago.

Bandera 361, 8320298 Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile Get directions

museo.precolombino.cl

@afar

"For Lovers of Art & History Just off the iconic Plaza de Armas, the main square, housed in the old customs building, is the Museum of Pre-Columbian art. The museum has a solid collection of Latin American art and history and an extensive collection of ceramics and pottery. The building itself is a historic monument and testament to the colonial area with sunny interior patios and lovely arcades. To bring the museum to life, sign up for a free guided tour with a docent to see the best works, including an impressive collection of Mapuche "chemamulles," wooden statues thought to be guardians. Bandera 361, corner Compañía de Jesús Phone: 56 (2) 2928 1500"

El Centro: Santiago's Historic Heart

View Postcard for Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Jennifer Smith

Google

I loved this place and spent a couple of hours here. Incredible artifacts and history information provided, with translations in English as well. Although the entrance price is expensive at slightly less than £10, it’s so worth it. Photos allowed and I took a million. Not crowded.

LS Sheldon

Google

Make this museum your first stop in Santiago. The presentation, description and choice of objects provide an amazing educational opportunity for visitors to learn about multiple indigenous groups. There are some truly extraordinary pieces in the collection. A must see is the special textile room. While you may have to wait line to enter, because only 10 people are allowed at a time, it is well worth the wait. The price of admission is more than reasonable. The café on the first floor by the reception desk is excellent.

Karmen Sakhr

Google

A very important stop while in Santiago. Chile is much more than just Santiago and the European sense ones gets in the Americas… there is a wealth of history and culture that is mixed with Mapuche, Inka and more in the Andean region. Nice to visit alone, I’m company and with teen age kids (if you manage to tie them down and drag them with you).

Maureen Kornienko

Google

Stopped here during a long layover. Arrived about an hour before closing, enjoyed some time at the cafe, and then circulated through the floors. I appreciated the English translations. The art was all really interesting, informative, and shocking how many artifacts and pieces of art have been preserved.

zara k-tai

Google

It was recommended by our tour guide, of all the museums in Santiago, he said this is the best although the ticket 12000pesos for foreigners is expensive but worth it. Prepare 100 peso coin for the locker(backpack) handbags were ok to go with you. Three floors, the pre-Colombia era in the basement floor then after on the second floor. I have no knowledge about ancient history here but I enjoyed watching the ceramics, textiles and mummies.

Oliver Hunter

Google

I loved this museum! Beautiful works of art in a cool building. I especially liked the textiles. Most labels include English translation, so it was very accessible as a US tourist. The gift store had handmade items from Chilean artisans and cafe looked good.

Steven Joachim

Google

Amazing collection. Some exhibits were so poorly lit that we couldn’t read the information. I understand light can have negative consequences for objects so old, but some light please.

Mariachiara Di Cesare

Google

If you are in Santiago you cannot miss this little gem. The perfect museum size to embed into the pre-Columbia cultures.

Marilu F.

Yelp

Often recommended as a pit stop while in Chile, we stopped by this museum and found at least one floor of it closed. Not to mention, too, that the gift shop was closed. Nevertheless, it was an interesting experience, because although artifacts were limited, the ones presented proved to be well preserved and depicting a time in history not often discussed. At this museum, you will find pieces from before the Precolombino times, and these, of course, include things from the Inka and things pertaining to Easter Island. It's a nice little pit stop, but please don't expect to make a day out of it. I think we were there over an hour tops.

Leo Y.

Yelp

It's truly amazing how advanced and impressive the Latin American civilization was before the arrival of Europeans decimated it. The ceramics, metallurgy, art, and society were at times more advanced than the Europeans who attacked them. The museum was well laid out, with information in Spanish, and then a brief summary in English. I translated some of the Spanish descriptions using Google Translate when I wanted more details than the English summary provided. It's easy to spend a few hours here if reading everything. A great collection from across south and central America.

Steve A.

Yelp

This was my favorite part of my Chilean trip. So glad I was able to make time to go. They have three floors of exhibits. One was closed when I arrived but they only charged $5.000 (right now about $6) instead of the usual $8.000, which is unusual for museums. You will see things you can't see anywhere else. There aren't all THAT many artifacts but when you see how well preserved they are and think about how much has been lost or destroyed, it's so great to see this all in one place and I absolutely want them to have my money (and yours) to keep these and more preserved!

Des S.

Yelp

What a beautifully curated museum! It's beautiful art and displays make it a delight! The cafe is really nice too! Generous portions and fresh food.

George E.

Yelp

Only two floors but a top notch museum with fantastic, well thought out displays. The entry level has an interior courtyard cafe serving lunch and a museum store with a bit more than your average souvenir offerings. Besides pre-columbian replica pottery and vessels, they offer textiles, books and contemporary wares by Chilean artists.

Alex D.

Yelp

The well-endowed collection of artifacts of the region's indigenous peoples, much of it donated by the collector Sergio Larraín García-Moreno, is displayed in the beautifully restored Royal Customs House that dates from 1807. The permanent collection, on the upper floor, showcases ceramics and textiles from Mexico to Patagonia. Unlike many of the city's museums, the displays here are well labeled in Spanish and English. Guided tours in English are available at no extra cost, but booking in advance is required. Located in Bandera Street 361 (Plaza de Armas Subway, Green Line); Opening from Tuestady through Sunday - 10 AM to 6 PM.

@afar

El Centro: Santiago's Historic Heart

View Postcard for Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Jennifer Smith

Google

LS Sheldon

Google

Karmen Sakhr

Google

Maureen Kornienko

Google

zara k-tai

Google

Oliver Hunter

Google

Steven Joachim

Google

Amazing collection. Some exhibits were so poorly lit that we couldn’t read the information. I understand light can have negative consequences for objects so old, but some light please.

Mariachiara Di Cesare

Google

If you are in Santiago you cannot miss this little gem. The perfect museum size to embed into the pre-Columbia cultures.

Marilu F.

Yelp

Leo Y.

Yelp

Steve A.

Yelp

Des S.

Yelp

What a beautifully curated museum! It's beautiful art and displays make it a delight! The cafe is really nice too! Generous portions and fresh food.

George E.

Yelp

Alex D.

Yelp