Bridgerton in Santiago? Visit the Cousiño Palace Museum

By: Hernan Claro - 24 July, 2024

Do not miss the Cousiño Palace Museum in downtown Santiago. It will make you feel like another star in the series Bridgerton.

With imposing oil paintings and marble in its interior, fit for Queen Charlotte and King George themselves, it is considered a treasure of the 19^th century.

Would you like to unveil all the secrets of this family residence now turned museum? If you are visiting Santiago, Chile, come and discover this place that will make you feel as if you were in the famous Bridgerton series!

Cover photo: @sofiahernaiz

How do I get to the Cousiño Palace Museum?

The museum is located on Calle Dieciocho Nº 428, in the district of Santiago. The best way to get there is to arrive at the subway station Toesca on Line 2, and then walk for a couple of minutes.

What can I find in the Cousiño Palace?

Photo: @ferimasbrugmann

The Cousiño Palace was built in a neoclassic style, meaning a mix of Greco-Roman influences with the social and technological advances of the 19^th century. This is why you will find imposing marble carvings and columns inside, while you can appreciate gorgeous gardens outside.

It is made up of three buildings: two small ones that used to be for servants, and a bigger one, larger in size, with 27 rooms such as tea rooms, weapons room, playing rooms, and an art gallery.

The decorations are impressive too, with murals and oils of French and Italian influences, as well as Moorish details. Additionally, it hosts temporal art exhibitions in the basement.

Could you imagine Lady Whistledown writing down gossip about society in Santiago? She would surely do so in the Cousiño Palace.

The fascinating history of Cousiño Palace

Photo: @ojedapreece

Dear reader! Before you visit, we want you to know a bit about the history of this building and its first owners.

The Cousiño Palace was inaugurated on September 18^th, 1882. The architect Paúl Lathoud was responsible for its construction, as requested by the influential marriage between Isidora Goyenechea and Luis Cousiño. The latter never saw the finished project as he passed away due to an illness.

The Cousiño family were owners of silver mines in Chañarcillo, in the north, and coal mines in Lota, in the south.

They amassed a great fortune in this way that allowed them to build huge buildings all across Chile, such as the famous Parque O’higgins (formerly Parque Cousiño), Parque de Lota, or Parque de la Viña Cousiño in Macul.

An unexpected tie to Thomas Alva Edison

The Cousiño Palace was the first property in South America to get an electric generator! It was bought from American inventor Thomas Alva Edison, friend of the Cousiño family.

How much is the ticket for the Cousiño Palace?