La Moneda Palace
Joaquín Toesca · Santiago, Chile · 1805
La Moneda began as a royal mint before becoming the seat of Chile's presidency. Joaquín Toesca's design, opened in the early nineteenth century, combines a composed classical exterior with internal courts and a clear institutional order. The building's later political history has added further layers to its meaning and fabric. Its relationship with surrounding plazas is especially important, allowing the palace to be considered as part of a larger civic landscape while interior access remains subject to the requirements of government. Visiting: A working presidential palace. Interior visits require an authorized booking and may be suspended for state functions.