Plaza Sotomayor Valparaiso Chile | Armada de Chile

Armada de Chile Landmark Port in Valparaiso 

The landmark pale blue gray and white Armada de Chile building dominates Plaza Sotomayor in the port area of Valparaiso.

Armada means 'navy'; this building, built in 1906 after a major quake, is the headquarters for the Chilean Navy,  the edificio de la Primera Zona Naval.

Don't worry about what to call it, though. Just head for the Port area (Estacion Puerto on the train) and you can't miss it!

I walked here from the bus terminal -- took about half an hour.

Detail Armada de Chile ~ Primera Zona Naval Port of Valparaiso

Sightseeing and photography are at odds with traffic in this area, but I did manage a few pictures.

Several city streets cross this plaza, so pedestrians must keep watch when walking between the Armada buiding and the waterfront dock area.

Add in the usual photo-ruining power lines and poles, and taking pictures is a challenge!

Focus too much on your viewfinder and you risk getting honked at or hit.

Entering Plaza Sotomayor, Valparaiso Chile

Here is a view of the Plaza Sotomayor, showing the streets with crossing traffic.

In August, 1906, much of Valparaiso was leveled by an 8.2 earthquake; this area was then rebuilt on landfill.

Much of the original port is now under the square, an in situ mausoleum.

In 1730, an 8.7 quake here set off a tsunami that crossed to Japan.  In February 2010, yet another major quake did much damage. This area of Valparaiso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/959 for more information.

Heroes of Iquique at Plaza Sotomayor Valparaiso

A statue of Arturo Plat is at the top of the  Heroes of Iquique monument and crypt in the center of Plaza Sotomayor.

Arturo Plat is a national hero in Chile, and the naval academy, a university; several ships bear his name.

This view is facing the waterfront, a glimmer of blue to the right of the statue base.

The plaza is near the Valparaiso cruise ship dock. From Santiago, it's about a 2-hour drive.

Heroes Monument with Armada de Chile building, Port of Valparaiso

In this view, the docks of the port are at my back.

The power lines in middle illustrate the challenge of photography.

The van passing in front of the statue shows proximity to passing traffic.

Nearby, the Justice Building has a statue of a different Lady Justice.

This one in Valparaiso is shown not blindfolded, and holding broken scales.

Said a friend showing me around the Plaza, "This shows Justice is neither blind, nor fair."

See More Chile :

What to Pack Chile, Virgin Mary Statue, Christmas Navidad Parade; El Quisco Beaches; Pablo Neruda museum at Isla Negra; Indomita Winery Casablanca;