The building was constructed between 1804 and 1807, serving as the residence for the Spanish colonial government.
Following the 1810 independence declaration, the palace became the first seat of the independent Chilean government.
The central clock tower was added to the building in 1894 to modernize the plaza's skyline.
The museum houses the original table used for the signing of the Treaty of Quilin, which established peace between the Spanish and the Mapuche people in 1641.
The interior patio retains the structural layout and fountain common to high-status colonial mansions in Santiago.
The Museum of National History (Museo Histórico Nacional) occupies the former Palacio de la Real Audiencia, a neoclassical building on the north side of Santiago's Plaza de Armas. It serves as the primary institution for chronicling Chilean history from the pre-Columbian period through the 20th century. The collection spans colonial artifacts, independence-era documents, and personal effects of significant political figures. The building itself dates back to the early 19th century and functioned as the seat of government before becoming a museum in 1982. Visitors can climb the iconic clock tower to view the square from above. Permanent exhibitions cover the conquest, the struggle for independence, and the formation of the modern republic. The museum features a significant collection of 19th-century oil paintings and period furniture preserved in their original palace settings. It is a national monument that houses over 10,000 historical objects in its permanent inventory.
The internal central courtyard for its historical architectural framing or the top of the clock tower for a panoramic view of the Plaza.
Ascend the clock tower to get one of the best elevated perspectives of Plaza de Armas.
Prioritize the colonial-era rooms on the second floor, which offer the most insight into the palace's original function.
Combine your visit with a walk around the Plaza de Armas to observe the contrast between the museum and the adjacent Metropolitan Cathedral.
Do not leave bags unattended, as the busy Plaza de Armas is a common target for petty theft.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume and avoid using flash photography in rooms containing delicate paper documents or textiles.
