The church is one of Santiago's oldest remaining buildings, and is a classic example of colonial religious buildings. It houses the Museo de Arte Colonial with many rooms dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order.
Further along to the east is the Catholic University which is a lively center of cultural events and the huge Biblioteca Nacional. No visit to Santiago is complete without a visit to Cerro Santa Lucía, an historic site now landscaped with gardens, fountains, such as the Fuente De Neptuno, statuary and good views of the city. It was here that Pedro de Valdivia founded the city on February 14, 1541. Don't miss the stone at the base of the hill engraved with the text of a letter from Valdivia to King Carlos V of Spain detailing the beauties of the area.
