Palacio Rioja
Palacio Rioja
4.5
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
About
A Chilean mansion restored as a museum and movie theater.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
302 reviews
Excellent
172
Very good
98
Average
23
Poor
8
Terrible
1
ElisabethSoares
Rio de Janeiro, RJ1,463 contributions
Jan 2012 • Family
The Palacio Rioja is an elegant century-old french-style palace with lovely gardens. Built by Alfredo Azancot for banker Fernando Rioja in 1906. It has belonged to the local municipal authorities since 1956, and now houses an environmental museum and a cinema.
Written July 4, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kerryblue57
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada19 contributions
A Belle Epoque gem in a lush garden with palm trees.
We were very lucky when entering the grounds of the Rioja Palace to meet Marta, one of the docents. She informed us that the Palace would re-open after lunch and she promised us a tour in English.
We returned after lunch and Marta did indeed provide a thorough tour of all of the rooms on the main level. The Palace was a surprising gem from the Belle Epoque and everything functional was made to be beautiful, and nothing ugly was visible. The dining room has a balcony for musicians, but no stairway leading up. The musicians either climbed in from an outside window or up a ladder. The forced air heating was through subtle holes. Marta took great pride in recounting the interesting history of the building, and many anecdotes about the family who lived their and their descendants who still live in the area. Every room has multiple doors as the owners were concerned about earthquakes. Some rooms still require renovation to restore their original state after serving as civic offices.
The lower floor of the Palace houses a music school and hosts concerts from time to time, although today's musicians don't climb up a ladder.
Marta's affection and pride for the building and for Vina del Mar left us with precious memories.
We were very lucky when entering the grounds of the Rioja Palace to meet Marta, one of the docents. She informed us that the Palace would re-open after lunch and she promised us a tour in English.
We returned after lunch and Marta did indeed provide a thorough tour of all of the rooms on the main level. The Palace was a surprising gem from the Belle Epoque and everything functional was made to be beautiful, and nothing ugly was visible. The dining room has a balcony for musicians, but no stairway leading up. The musicians either climbed in from an outside window or up a ladder. The forced air heating was through subtle holes. Marta took great pride in recounting the interesting history of the building, and many anecdotes about the family who lived their and their descendants who still live in the area. Every room has multiple doors as the owners were concerned about earthquakes. Some rooms still require renovation to restore their original state after serving as civic offices.
The lower floor of the Palace houses a music school and hosts concerts from time to time, although today's musicians don't climb up a ladder.
Marta's affection and pride for the building and for Vina del Mar left us with precious memories.
Written May 10, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Khloe
Lake Toxaway, NC10 contributions
Jan 2021
The restoration of this century old building is commendable. We did not get to see much. What we saw, nice.
Written February 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane H
West Chester, PA9 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Our visit was brief. In spite of the sign in the foyer saying tours are available in English, there wasn’t one.
When we asked we were directed to the second floor where a tour was in progress, in Spanish.
We walked around by ourselves and looked at the mansion, quite interesting but there was no information. A self-guiding brochure would have helped and we’d be willing to pay.
When we asked we were directed to the second floor where a tour was in progress, in Spanish.
We walked around by ourselves and looked at the mansion, quite interesting but there was no information. A self-guiding brochure would have helped and we’d be willing to pay.
Written March 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kath
Santiago, Chile23 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
I would recommend to visit this place.. The palace itself is nice to see and you get to learn the history about it.
Written January 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enrique N
Vina del Mar, Chile6 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
You will be able to learn the history of Mr. Rioja, a succesful entrepreneur, the way he builted his palace according to european standards for his family housing and also have the opportunity to attend cultural activities like cine, concerts and book presentations.
The palace has been refurbished and is very well kept.
Thery is a nice coffe shop open to visitors.
The palace has been refurbished and is very well kept.
Thery is a nice coffe shop open to visitors.
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elaine S
Rio de Janeiro, RJ127 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
I would recommend these visit for all who wants to know a piece of Viña Del Mar History! How one man can write his name in history just opening his house and family stuff.
The Palacio Rioja's guide is very gentle and can tell you everything about the family, The Palacio and Viña. Ask for a guided visit.
The Palacio Rioja's guide is very gentle and can tell you everything about the family, The Palacio and Viña. Ask for a guided visit.
Written August 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennifermico
Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina79 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
The place is impressive and I highly recommend taking the guided tour to make the experience better. It's free and it's centrally located.
Written April 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alice S
Auburn, AL26 contributions
Jun 2016
There are about six rooms open in this palace. Very beautifully restored. And, it is free! Take 30 minutes or so to see this. Also, the grounds are nice.
Written July 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pomerols
Weston, FL4,715 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
It just reopened the week we were in Vino del Mar. While there are only a few rooms opened, they are well worth a visit. The building itself is terrific. The inside of the palace is stunning with high ceiling, extravagant decor, furniture, clothing and a few artifacts. It is historically significant as it is the embodiment of the riches and power of the merchant class during the golden age of the city. A must do in Vina del Mar.
Written June 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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