Estación Mapocho
Encyclopedia
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Estación Mapocho was for a long time the hub for all rail traffic
serving northern Chile
, Valparaiso
and Argentina
. Built to celebrate the centennial of Chilean independence, the building has an obvious sentimental value that adds to its imposing architecture. In recognition of all these attributes, the building was declared a national monument in 1976.
The demand and quality of rail traffic to northern Chile had however been decreasing up until then, and would continue to do so up until 1987 when the building was decommissioned due to serious structural decay. Since demolition of a national monument is expressly forbidden, the building remained in disuse and awaiting repair until 1991 when the government put the remodeling of the station up for licitation. The building was repaired and restored by the beginning of 1994. Since rail traffic was no longer operating to its former destinations, the station passed into a new life, but retaining its name.
The Estación Mapocho building now serves as a cultural center. The station is used primarily for art exhibits, musical performances, and conventions. Its full current name is "Centro Cultural Estación Mapocho"
The place is also known for Sensation
which is held there since 2008.
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
serving northern Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Valparaiso
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. Built to celebrate the centennial of Chilean independence, the building has an obvious sentimental value that adds to its imposing architecture. In recognition of all these attributes, the building was declared a national monument in 1976.
The demand and quality of rail traffic to northern Chile had however been decreasing up until then, and would continue to do so up until 1987 when the building was decommissioned due to serious structural decay. Since demolition of a national monument is expressly forbidden, the building remained in disuse and awaiting repair until 1991 when the government put the remodeling of the station up for licitation. The building was repaired and restored by the beginning of 1994. Since rail traffic was no longer operating to its former destinations, the station passed into a new life, but retaining its name.
The Estación Mapocho building now serves as a cultural center. The station is used primarily for art exhibits, musical performances, and conventions. Its full current name is "Centro Cultural Estación Mapocho"
The place is also known for Sensation
Sensation (event)
Sensation is an indoor electronic dance music event which originated in the Netherlandsand organized by ID&T. The original event, which ran exclusively in the Amsterdam ArenA for a period of five years until 2005, is now located throughout Poland, Spain, Austria, Chile, Germany, Belgium, Hungary,...
which is held there since 2008.