Museum sights in Valparaíso
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A
Museo del Mar Lord Cochrane
The Museo del Mar Lord Cochrane was built in 1842 for the dashing Scottish naval hero Lord Thomas Cochrane (who set up Chile's navy), but was never occupied by him. The building, a tile-roofed, colonial-style house above Plaza Sotomayor, held Chile's first astronomical observatory. There are few exhibits, but the patio has a stunning view over the harbor. To reach it take the Ascensor Cordillera (located one block north of Plaza Sotomayor) to Cerro Cordillera, then walk east to Merlet at the top of the ascensor.
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B
Museo Naval y Marítimo
Cannons still stand ready outside the Museo Naval y Marítimo. The contents suggest they’d rather like to fire them at Peru – much space is devoted to Chile’s victory in the 19th-century War of the Pacific. Other exhibits include historical paintings, uniforms, ship’s furniture, swords, navigating instruments and medals, all neatly displayed in exhibition rooms along one side of a large courtyard. Rattling Ascensor Artillería brings you here from Plaza Wheelwright.
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C
Museo de Bellas Artes
The Museo de Bellas Artes is housed in the Palacio Baburizza (1916). Designed for an Italian nitrate baron but named after the Yugoslav who purchased it from him, the Art Nouveau palace is noteworthy for imaginative woodwork, forged-iron details and a steeply pitched central tower. Set among attractive gardens, the building and grounds alone justify a visit. From here, it's possible to loop over to Cerro Concepción, or vice versa.
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D
Museo de Historia Natural
What the security guards at the Museo de Historia Natural most love to show visitors is the two-headed human baby (in formaldehyde) that was born in the city in 1915. Yes, really. Ask nicely and you may be allowed to pet the taxidermized viscacha, too.
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