Santiago Jewish community, in South America, has more than 20,000 members and a variety of important areas that contain a long history that began with the Spanish conquest. This tour will highlight several of these unique locations as you travel through the metropolitan capital of Chile.

Following a pickup from your hotel and a quick briefing about the day’s adventures, this journey through the Jewish community of Santiago begins with a visit to Cerro Santa Lucia (Santa Lucia Hill), the site where conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded the city on February 12, 1541. It is said that many of the Chile’s first explorers were accompanied by “conversos”, converted Catholic Jews who still secretly practiced Judaism. Used as a lookout point for some time, Santa Lucia Hill offers an amazing view of downtown Santiago and a glimpse into the beginning of Chile’s history and Jewish community.

Afterward in your exploration of the Jewish community, you will visit one of Santiago’s ten synagogues and learn about religious life in Chile. The final stop before returning back to your hotel is the Estadio Israelita Maccabi, a 4,000-member Jewish community center. Inside the Estadio Israelita is the Jewish Sephardic Museum, which contains historical costumes and candelabras donated by Sephardic immigrants. The historic community center, which opened in 1953 as a place to share in common traditions and culture, continues today as a staple of the Chilean-Jewish community.
The tour ends with a private transfer back to your hotel.