La Sebastiana is one of the three houses that the poet Pablo Neruda owned, and it now operates as a museum in Valparaíso, Chile. It stands at Calle Ferrari 692, on one of the steep hillsides that give the port city its character.
What to expect
The house is known for its eccentric collections and its maritime-themed decor, which reflect the poet's fascination with the sea and with objects he gathered over the years. Rooms are arranged to show how he lived, so a visit feels closer to stepping into a personal space than walking through a conventional exhibition.
- Collections of objects gathered by the poet, displayed throughout the house
- Maritime-inspired interiors that echo the port setting outside
- Views over the bay of Valparaíso from the house itself
The visit and the area
Because the house sits on a hill, the views are as much a part of the experience as the rooms. Many visitors take their time looking out over the bay before or after walking through the interior. Plan for a relaxed visit, and allow time to wander the surrounding streets, which are typical of Valparaíso's winding, uneven neighbourhoods.
Valparaíso itself is a port city in the Valparaíso Region, and it offers much to see beyond this single house. Pairing La Sebastiana with a walk through the nearby hills gives a good sense of the city's atmosphere and its long relationship with the sea.