Providencia

From Rural Estate to MunicipalityThe area long belonged to agricultural estates east of the city. It owes its name to the Convent of the Hermanas de la Providencia, where today stands the Iglesia de la Divina Providencia, a National Monument. In 1897, Providencia became its own municipality, after which it grew rapidly as the fields were divided into building plots. In the 20th century, residential buildings and office towers were added, yet the greenery remained: parks line the river eastwards from Plaza Baquedano.Art in Public SpacesIn the Parque de las Esculturas on the north bank of the Mapocho, around 40 works by Chilean sculptors stand in the open air; a pavilion hosts temporary exhibitions. In Barrio Italia, bordering Ñuñoa, old houses now host antique and furniture shops, design stores, and restaurants.Everyday life unfolds in the side streets: cafés, tea rooms, and restaurants around Calle Orrego Luco and Avenida Manuel Montt.

Providencia is very well connected, and its wide sidewalks and parks make even longer walks pleasant.Metro and TransportLine 1 runs beneath Avenida Providencia with stations Baquedano, Salvador, Manuel Montt, Pedro de Valdivia, Los Leones, and Tobalaba.Line 6 connects Los Leones with the south of the city, and Line 4 starts at Tobalaba.The cable car to Cerro San Cristóbal has a lower station in Pedro de Valdivia Norte.A bike path runs along the Mapocho through the parks; rental bikes and e-scooters are available via apps. Taxis, Uber, and Cabify are readily available everywhere. During rush hours, Line 1 gets very crowded, so it's advisable to factor in a few minutes' buffer.