Plaza Sotomayor (Sotomayor Square), Valparaiso (must see)

Plaza Sotomayor holds a significant place as the city's most vital civic square. Originally known as(Customs Square, it underwent various names like Palace Square and later Intendancy Square. Named after Rafael Sotomayor, the square is flanked by buildings that occupy entire block-fronts along its surrounding streets. The central focus of the square is a monument dedicated to the Chilean sailors who bravely fought in the Battle of Iquique and the Battle of Punta Gruesa. The entire plaza and the adjacent buildings were designated a Zona Típica (historic district) on January 23, 1979.

Two similar towers at the northeastern side of the square create a distinctive gateway from the city to the port. On the opposite side stands the building that once housed the Intendencia de Valparaíso, now serving as the headquarters of the Chilean Navy. Other notable structures facing the plaza include the CSAV building and the National Council of Culture and the Arts.

In 1873, Valparaíso saw the construction of its first sculpture, commemorating the Scottish seaman Lord Thomas Cochrane.

The square underwent a significant transformation in 2000 when the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development initiated a remodeling project, overseen by architect Harken Jensen. This project included the establishment of subterranean parking lots and the inauguration of a museum due to archaeological findings on-site. Subsequently, in 2004, the square's design extended to the Prat Wharf, transforming it into a scenic walkway and embarkation point for crossing the roadstead of Valparaíso from the sea. The Prat Wharf features a replica of the Santiaguillo, a small sailing boat representing the first Spanish vessel to dock in the bay known as Quintil.