Plaza Armas, also known as Muñoz Gamero Square, is the central square of Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Elegant mansions from around the turn of the 20th century line its edges, when the town was a key port before the Panama Canal opened. A bronze monument to Ferdinand Magellan stands in the middle, with Indigenous figures below it, and touching the foot of the statue is considered good luck. Shaded trees, benches, street performers and local handicraft sellers make it an easy place to spend an hour, and Friday nights bring live drumming.
Mansions from the port years
Most of the ornate mansions around the square once belonged to maritime authorities, guilds and local figures. They were built when Punta Arenas was a key port on one of the world's major shipping routes, before the Panama Canal was built.
One of the notable buildings is the old Croatian guild building, one block southeast of the main square on Avenida 21 de Mayo. It is worth a short detour from the plaza to see it.
The Magellan monument
The bronze monument to Ferdinand Magellan was placed in 1920 to honor the Portuguese navigator. It was donated by a wool trader from the region, José Menendez. Magellan is shown in an elaborate pose, and Indigenous people are represented on the base below him.
The Strait of Magellan, named after him, shortens the sea route around the southern tip of South America. That is the reason the monument stands in a town that grew up around the strait.
Sara Braun's house and Museo Salesiano
Sara Braun's mansion, on the square, is now a restaurant, a private club and a museum. It is one of the clearest examples of the square's 19th-century architecture.
Museo Salesiano holds exhibits on the native flora and fauna of the region and on historical artifacts, which gives useful background before or after a walk around the plaza.
Iglesia Parroquial across the square
Across from the plaza stands the small, squat Iglesia Parroquial. Its ornate altarpiece shows the town's founders, Indigenous peoples and the Virgin Mary, set against a view of the Torres del Paine.
The church is a quiet stop between the square and the rest of the old town, and it is a good place to see how the early settlers and Indigenous communities are portrayed together.
Visiting the square
The square is open at all hours. The trees are old and shade the benches, and the walkways are level and easy to cross. The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and the parking lot is too.
Sightseeing buses to destinations across Patagonia leave from the square, so it is also a convenient place to start a longer trip. Free WiFi is available in the area. On windy days, the square can feel exposed, so a sunny morning or afternoon is more comfortable for a stroll.
FAQ
Is the square open at all hours?
Yes. The square is open all day and night, every day of the week.
Is Plaza Armas wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and the parking lot are both wheelchair accessible.
When is the live drumming?
Live drumming takes place on Friday nights in the square.
What is there to see in Plaza Armas?
The main sights are the Magellan monument with Indigenous figures below it, the 19th-century mansions around the square, Sara Braun's house, and the ancient trees.
Where do sightseeing buses leave from?
Sightseeing buses to destinations across Patagonia depart from the square.
