Museum
La Chascona
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La Chascona is a house in Santiago's Barrio Bellavista that belonged to the poet Pablo Neruda. Its quirky architecture and interiors reflect his love of the sea. Today it is a museum and a popular attraction.
Don't miss
- A 1955 portrait of Matilde Urrutia by Diego Rivera, showing her with two faces,one public, one private,and Neruda's profile hidden in her hair.
- Idiosyncratic architecture and design reflecting Neruda's personal tastes, especially his fascination with the sea.
- The house's name, 'La Chascona,' meaning 'disheveled woman' in Chilean Spanish, inspired by Urrutia's curly red hair.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit La Chascona
You can visit on your own (Paid entry). A tour adds transport and a guide, or combines nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inA Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -4.9★ · 581 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$25 per personSee dates →
Best full dayCajon del Maipo/Embalse del Yeso, Tradition Folk Picnic included4.5★ · 2,982 travelers9-10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$42 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleHorse Riding Tour in the Andes Santiago Chile4.9★ · 39 travelers~3 hoursFrom$185 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- The house is one of three Neruda homes open to visitors; the others include Casa de Isla Negra.
- Look for the Diego Rivera painting with a hidden profile of Neruda in Urrutia's hair.
A bit of history
Construction began in 1953 as a secret home for Matilde Urrutia, Neruda's lover. The name means 'tangled hair,' a nod to her curly red hair. After Neruda's death in 1973, the house was damaged during the military coup, and Urrutia restored it.
Common questions
Who was La Chascona built for?
It was built starting in 1953 as a secret residence for Matilde Urrutia, Neruda's lover who later became his third wife.
What does 'La Chascona' mean?
It is a Chilean Spanish term of Quechua origin meaning 'tangled hair' or 'disheveled woman,' referring to Urrutia's curly red hair.
What happened to the house after Neruda's death?
It was damaged during the 1973 military coup, and Urrutia later restored it.
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