Travel to Valparaiso, Chile: How the Street Art Scene is Thriving in the UNESCO Heritage Town

Author : Unwild Planet

Considered by many as the cultural capital of Chile, Valparaiso is world famous for its street art, making it the most colourful city in the world. Overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean, spread over a cluster of hills, this city is filled with bright buildings in unconventional colours and murals painted on the walls!

How Did The Street Art Movement began at Valparaiso, Chile

Until the Panama Canal was opened in August 1914, the Valpo (as called locally) was one of the richest cities in South America, as shipping vessels from Europe made a pit stop at this beautiful city! This led to the entry of charming French and Spanish architecture in Valparaiso. Post 1914, the thriving commerce around the post declined significantly, and it was no longer ‘the Jewel of the Pacific’ as called by the naval community until then. The second half of the 20th century brought an economic drop to the city and this demanded some reimagination to revive the city.

The then Chilean diplomat Pablo Neruda was posted as Chilean Consul General in Mexico City in the 1940s, an era in which muralism was flourishing in Mexico. Taking inspiration from the Art Movement, he believed that his city could use some art to rewrite its fate. He did so by bringing some Mexican artists back home in 1943. Well, the rest is what we see today in Valpo!

How Street Art Became The Fight for Freedom of Expression

Pablo Neruda died under suspicious circumstances a little after Chile was forcefully brought under the dictatorship of General Pinochet in 1973. This regime banned all forms of political art and whoever questioned ended up disappearing from their cities. Art was the only way people could express oppression and Valpo was a perfect place for it. The narrow and concealed streets made it easier for them to do their art and escape unseen!

Soon an underground group of artists was formed who would express strong messages against the regime and this truly helped the people to remain hopeful and finally one day to throw out General Pinochet’s regime and bring back democracy in 1990!

The local government of Valparaiso made street art legal in their city to celebrate the freedom of expression! Everywhere else in Chile, street art is only permitted under formal commissions.

The Thriving Street Art Scene

The street art in this Bohemian city continues to express socially and politically relevant issues. The local government ensures that the artists have direct support from the authorities in creating new pieces. Hotels, shops, and restaurants have competitions on who would create the most impressive murals. Over the years this support has made art an inseparable part of the city, inviting art enthusiasts from around the world to witness this wonder that changed the history of a city!

Street Art Tours

The growing popularity of the city demanded organized tours that would give travellers not just a superficial understanding of the city, but make them dive deeper into its history, culture, and art. Even though the entire city is like an open air museum, here are some of the most recommended tours that would take you closer to the city’s art culture!

1. Valparaíso’s classic ascensores

Ride three of Valparaíso’s classic ascensores – Ascensor El Peral, Ascensor Reina Victoria, and Ascensor Concepción
Explore the cobblestone streets and historical homes of Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre
Visit the painted staircases and art galleries of Pasaje Gálvez
Walk along Paseos Gervasoni, Atkinson, Yugoslavo, and Dimalow for up-close views of some of Valparaíso’s best murals, plus sweeping views of the port
Learn about the history of the Anglican and Lutheran churches in Valparaíso, the construction of funiculars in the late 19th century, and some of the city’s most famous architecture

2. Explore the promenades

Stroll along the city’s most beautiful promenades, including Paseo Dimalow, Paseo Gervasoni, Paseo Atkinson, and Paseo Yugoslavo
Admire the colorful facades of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción
Ride the Ascensor Reina Victoria and the Ascensor El Peral, two of Valparaíso’s most famous funiculars
Explore the beautiful Paseo 21 de Mayo, an elevated pedestrian walkway overlooking the city

UnWild Planet Recommended:

Free tours - There are many free street art tours in Valparaíso, it’s a good chance to meet the locals and tourists from different parts of the world!
Tips - Remember that guides make their living from tips, so bring some cash
Must-see - See Valparaíso’s murals, explore charming Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, and ride Valparaíso’s famous elevators
Must ask for stories - Learn about Valparaíso’s culture and history
Suggestions from the locals - Get a local’s advice on where to eat and drink!

No matter if you take a guided tour or you explore the murals by yourself, there is no chance that you would miss out on their world famous street art! On some work you can find the artist’s signature, while with others you need to recognize the artist by their unique style and issues they tend to express. But when in Valpo, do look out for artworks done by the native artists Sammy Espinoza and Cynthia Aguilera. They have done some of the biggest and most striking works in the city!