# Edificio Armada de Chile

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{{Short description|National monument of Chile}}
{{Infobox building
| image = Intendencia3.JPG
| architect = [Ernesto Urquieta](/source/Ernesto_Urquieta)
| coordinates = {{Coord|-33.0389|-71.6295|type:landmark_region:CL|display=inline,title}}
}}
The '''Edificio de la Comandancia en Jefe de la Armada de Chile''',<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=15 September 2016|title=Príncipe Edward visita Comandancia en Jefe de la Armada y Escuela Naval en Valparaíso|url=http://www.estrategia.cl/15253/Titulo|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224214613/http://www.estrategia.cl/15253/Titulo|archive-date=24 February 2017|access-date=24 February 2017|website=Estrategia}}</ref> also known as '''Edificio de la Intendencia de Valparaíso''', because it was a purpose-built [Intendencia](/source/Intendencia),<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Edificio de la Intendencia de Valparaíso|url=http://www.monumentos.cl/catalogo/625/w3-article-26297.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2017|website=Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408105514/http://www.monumentos.cl/catalogo/625/w3-article-26297.html |archive-date=2016-04-08 }}</ref> is a building designed in an eclectic style with [Renaissance Revival architecture](/source/Renaissance_Revival_architecture) elements,<ref name=":3" /> which rises 5 floors in height and covers {{convert|8,000|m2}}.<ref name="Ciu98" /> The main facade of the building faces the [Sotomayor Square](/source/Sotomayor_Square) of [Valparaíso](/source/Valpara%C3%ADso) and the Monument to the [Heroes of Iquique](/source/Battle_of_Iquique).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Recuperan fachada de Edificio de la Armada en Valparaíso|url=http://www.lanacion.cl/noticias/vida-y-estilo/diseno/recuperan-fachada-de-edificio-de-la-armada-en-valparaiso/2013-05-17/170519.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223211725/http://www.lanacion.cl/noticias/vida-y-estilo/diseno/recuperan-fachada-de-edificio-de-la-armada-en-valparaiso/2013-05-17/170519.html|archive-date=23 February 2017|access-date=22 February 2017|website=La Nación}}</ref>

The building has been the site of historical and social events, which were numerous and important.<ref name="VCHL">{{Cite web|title=Edificios públicos|url=http://www.valparaisochile.cl/edificiospublicos.htm/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128185828/http://www.valparaisochile.cl/edificiospublicos.htm|archive-date=28 January 2017|access-date=25 February 2017|publisher=ValparaisoChile.com}}</ref> On January 23, 1979 it was declared a [Historic Monument de Chile](/source/List_of_National_Monuments_of_Chile), at the same time both the Sotomayor Square and the surrounding buildings was declared a Zona Típica y de Protección.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=23 January 1979|title=Declara Monumento Histórico y Zona Típica y de Protección a los edificios y plaza que indica, todos de la ciudad de Valparaíso, Va. Región|url=http://www.monumentos.cl/catalogo/625/articles-36580_documento.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225053237/http://www.monumentos.cl/catalogo/625/articles-36580_documento.pdf |archive-date=2017-02-25 }}</ref>

== History ==

=== The former building (1831-1906) ===
In 1831, the architect Juan Stevenson designed a building to be constructed on the site of the current building, which was originally used as a [custom house](/source/custom_house) (Aduana de Valparaíso).<ref name="Ciu98">{{Cite web|last=Becerra, Mauricio|date=23 January 2008|title=Edificio de la Armada en Valparaíso: La Casa Cautiva|url=http://www.elciudadano.cl/2008/01/23/1308/edificio-de-la-armada-en-valparaiso-la-casa-cautiva/|url-status=live|access-date=23 February 2017|publisher=El Ciudadano|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403025236/http://www.elciudadano.cl/2008/01/23/1308/edificio-de-la-armada-en-valparaiso-la-casa-cautiva/ |archive-date=2013-04-03 }}</ref> The custom house moved to a new building inaugurated on September 1, 1855,<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 February 2007|title=Historia de la Aduana de Chile|url=https://www.aduana.cl/historia-de-la-aduana-de-chile/aduana/2007-02-24/173229.html|url-status=live|access-date=25 February 2017|publisher=Servicio Nacional de Aduanas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227204326/http://www.aduana.cl:80/historia-de-la-aduana-de-chile/aduana/2007-02-24/173229.html |archive-date=2014-02-27 }}</ref> and the former building went on to be occupied by the Intendencia.<ref name="Ciu98" />

The building began to have problems with the [foundations](/source/Foundation_(engineering)) in the late 19th century, caused by a series of earthquakes and winter floods,<ref name="VCHL" /> and as a result had to be demolished in 1900.<ref name="icarito">{{Cite web|date=6 December 2009|title=Antigua Intendencia de Valparaíso|url=http://www.icarito.cl/2009/12/6-4375-9-antigua-intendencia-de-valparaiso.shtml/|url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2017|publisher=Icarito|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225130143/http://www.icarito.cl/2009/12/6-4375-9-antigua-intendencia-de-valparaiso.shtml/ |archive-date=2017-02-25 }}</ref> The engineer Pedro Palma designed a rebuilding project, but it was not carried out, because the [1906 Valparaíso earthquake](/source/1906_Valpara%C3%ADso_earthquake) destroyed a great part of the city causing a change in the priorities of the government.<ref name="Ciu98" />

=== The new Intendencia de Valparaíso Building (1907-1973) ===
{{Multiple image
| direction = vertical
}}A year after the earthquake, architects were invited to participate in a [competition](/source/Architectural_design_competition) to design a new building to be constructed on the same site,<ref name="icarito" /> meeting the following requirements: serve as the headquarters for the Intendencia de [Valparaíso](/source/Valpara%C3%ADso_Region) and for the [Gobernación Provincial](/source/Valpara%C3%ADso_Province),<ref name="VCHL" /> intendente's residence, serve as a venue for official receptions and as a summer residence for the [presidents of Chile](/source/President_of_Chile).<ref name="icarito" />

The winning design was done by architect Ernesto Urquieta, who had designed other important buildings in the city, including the main building for the [Universidad Católica de Valparaíso](/source/Pontifical_Catholic_University_of_Valpara%C3%ADso), the Teatro Imperio and the Banco Franco-Belga.<ref name="icarito" /> The design of Urquieta, which was inspired by French palace architecture like the [Hôtel de Ville, Paris](/source/H%C3%B4tel_de_Ville%2C_Paris), consisted of a five-story building with offices for the Intendencia, Comandancia General de Armas, [Dirección de Obras Públicas](/source/Ministry_of_Public_Works_(Chile)) and the Tesorería Fiscal on the first to the third floor; and the residence for the intendente and the presidential apartment on the two highest floors.<ref name="Ciu98" />

The building was inaugurated in 1910, as part of the celebrations of the Centennial of Chile, to serve as the local seat of government.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Ciu98" /> Since its opening, the building was the meeting place for the upper social class of the city.<ref name="Ciu98" /> The parties that were held in the building, for celebrating historical events such as the [21 de mayo](/source/Battle_of_Iquique) and the [18 de septiembre](/source/Fiestas_Patrias_(Chile)), were very famous.<ref name="VCHL" /> By 1914, [masquerade balls](/source/Masquerade_ball) were held inside its Salón de Invierno. According to the architect Tomás Eastman Montt, in the mid-1920s a ball was held in honor of [Umberto I of Italy](/source/Umberto_I_of_Italy) in the Salón Rojo of the building, while in the 1950s, the intendente Rivas Vicuña hosted a pompous masquerade ball, comparable with those hosted in 1914. The building served as a presidential residence until 1929, when the then president [Carlos Ibáñez del Campo](/source/Carlos_Ib%C3%A1%C3%B1ez_del_Campo), during the [Great Depression](/source/Great_Depression), ordered the construction of the [Palacio Presidencial de Cerro Castillo](/source/Palace_of_Cerro_Castillo) in [Viña del Mar](/source/Vi%C3%B1a_del_Mar).<ref name="Ciu98" />

In the 1960s, to celebrate a football championship won by the local team, [Santiago Wanderers](/source/Santiago_Wanderers), the intendente Enrique Vicente hosted the first non-aristocratic great party in the building. The team players, the board of directors and some fans were invited to this party.<ref name="Ciu98" /> Years later, under the presidency of [Salvador Allende](/source/Salvador_Allende) (1970-1973), the building was used for the [summer months](/source/Climate_of_Chile) for presidential cabinet meetings and to receive to social leaders for an audience with the president.<ref name="Ciu98" /> On November 30, 1971, during the [state visit](/source/Fidel_Castro's_state_visit_to_Chile) of [Fidel Castro](/source/Fidel_Castro), he gave a speech from one of the balconies to a crowd of people on the [Sotomayor Square](/source/Sotomayor_Square).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006|title=Fidel en Chile: Discurso en Valparaíso|url=http://www.archivochile.com/America_latina/fidelcl/fidelcl0028.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2017|publisher=Archivo Chile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224223657/http://www.archivochile.com/America_latina/fidelcl/fidelcl0028.pdf |archive-date=2017-02-24 }}</ref><ref name="Ciu98" />

=== Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–1990) ===
During the [1973 Chilean coup d'état](/source/1973_Chilean_coup_d'%C3%A9tat), which marked the beginning of the [dictadura militar](/source/Military_dictatorship_of_Chile_(1973%E2%80%931990)) led by general [Augusto Pinochet](/source/Augusto_Pinochet), the Edificio de la Intendencia and other government buildings were seized by [Navy sailors](/source/Chilean_Navy) since early morning, many of whom had returned to the port of Valparaíso after having put to sea the previous day to take part of the [UNITAS](/source/UNITAS) Operation [conducted by the United States](/source/United_States_intervention_in_Chile). The then intendente Luis Gutiérrez was surprised by the coup.<ref name="Ciu98" />

Shortly after, the building changed hands to the [Comandancia en Jefe](/source/List_of_commanders-in-chief_of_the_Chilean_Navy) of the Primera Zona Naval de la Armada. Until then, the headquarters of the Comandancia en Jefe was located on Prat Street, and only the Guarnición Militar operated on the first floor of the building. On the other hand, the Intendencia was relocated in 1982 to a 19-story building built for that purpose, which is located nearby the [plaza Aníbal Pinto](/source/plaza_An%C3%ADbal_Pinto) of Valparaíso, and adjacent to the [Plaza de la Ciudadanía](/source/Plaza_de_la_Ciudadan%C3%ADa).<ref name="Ciu98" />

Under this new regime, some Navy sailors tortured people in the building. Among them was the journalist Hugo Maldonado, detained on October 4 in [La Calera](/source/La_Calera%2C_Chile) by his connection with sailors opposing the military coup. Maldonado was brought to the building by [detectives](/source/Investigations_Police_of_Chile), before being relocated to Silva Palma Quarters, where he was held prisoner for five years.<ref name="Ciu98" />

In 1979, based on a proposal by the National Tourism Service, the building was declared a Historic Monument, due to its historical and architectural value.<ref name="VCHL" /> Besides, the [Sotomayor Square](/source/Sotomayor_Square) and the surrounding buildings were declared a Zona Típica (Heritage District).<ref name=":2" />

=== Return to democracy until the present ===
left|thumb|The main facade painted grey
[[File:US_Navy_110805-N-ZB612-042_Chief_of_Naval_Operations_(CNO)_Adm._Gary_Roughead_renders_honors_during_a_welcoming_ceremony_to_the_Chilean_naval_headq.jpg|thumb|Ceremony of the [Armada](/source/Chilean_Navy) in the interior of the building, in 2011.]]
Following the [Chilean transition to democracy](/source/Chilean_transition_to_democracy), the building remained under the control of the [Chilean Navy](/source/Chilean_Navy)<ref name="Ciu98" /> and housing the [Comandancia en Jefe](/source/List_of_commanders-in-chief_of_the_Chilean_Navy) de la Primera Zona Naval, the Guarnición Militar de Valparaíso and the Cantón de Reclutamiento 23.<ref name="VCHL" /> Even if there have appeared opinions in favor of returning the building to its original use as seat of local politics, as of 2008 neither the Intendencia nor other authorities have asked for transferring the possession of the building.<ref name="Ciu98" />

In 2013, the Centro de Estudios Patrimoniales of the [Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso](/source/Pontifical_Catholic_University_of_Valpara%C3%ADso), commissioned by the [Armada de Chile](/source/Chilean_Navy) and with the support of the [Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales](/source/Consejo_de_Monumentos_Nacionales) and the municipality of Valparaíso, restored the facade of the building. The exterior of the building was completely painted over. The then grey building was painted blue, similar to its original color. Also was installed a [LED](/source/Light-emitting_diode) lighting system for highlighting the building at the night.<ref name=":1" />

Since it was opened until now, the building have been used to host official foreign visits. Like example, in 2016 [Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex](/source/Prince_Edward%2C_Earl_of_Wessex) was received with honors.<ref name=":0" />

== Description ==
thumb|Facade clock detail.
The design of the building is [eclectic](/source/Eclecticism_in_architecture) and is based on the French Renaissance Revival style<ref name=":3" /> used in the construction of palaces like the [Hôtel de Ville, Paris](/source/H%C3%B4tel_de_Ville%2C_Paris).<ref name=":1" /><ref name="icarito" /> The design also includes [Louis XVI style](/source/Louis_XVI_style) elements.<ref name=":3" /> The building is five floors high and features a slightly protruding central wing and two side wings, containing many rooms and halls. The three lower floors were designed to house offices, while other two floors are for being used as [official residences](/source/Official_residence).<ref name="Ciu98" /> The halls of the central portion of the building have been used for receptions, conferences and official meetings, as well as to receive dignitaries and famous visitors.<ref name="VCHL" />

The main facade of the building features recessed and projecting bays, as well as ornamental [plaster](/source/plaster) and [cast stone](/source/cast_stone). The structure is crowned by a [mansard roof](/source/mansard_roof) that overlooks the [Sotomayor Square](/source/Sotomayor_Square), and its center wing contains a facade clock that is topped by a [cupola](/source/cupola).<ref name="icarito" /> The building was originally blue in color like its present color. In the early 1970s, it had a [pastel](/source/Pastel_(color))-colored appearance, and during the [dictadura militar](/source/Military_dictatorship_of_Chile_(1973%E2%80%931990)) the building was painted gray.<ref name="Ciu98" />

The interior of the building has well-preserved light fixture like almost all of its fine furniture, which was made in 1884 by Leroux from [Paris](/source/Paris).<ref name="VCHL" /> A [marble](/source/marble) stair leads from the center entrance to the second floor.<ref name="Ciu98" /> A [skylight](/source/skylight) rises from the second floor, supported by [columns](/source/Column) decorated with [relief](/source/relief) sculptures.<ref name="VCHL" />

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

Category:1910 in Chile
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1910
Category:Chilean Navy
Category:Palaces in Valparaíso
Category:Renaissance Revival architecture in Chile
Category:Châteauesque architecture

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Edificio Armada de Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edificio_Armada_de_Chile) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edificio_Armada_de_Chile?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.