Museo Histórico Nacional, Chile

Occupying the former Palace of the Royal Audience on Santiago's Plaza de Armas, the National Historical Museum traces Chile's story from pre-Columbian societies through the conquest, colony, independence and republic. Its galleries display weapons, furniture, paintings, documents and everyday objects, including relics associated with national heroes. The colonnaded colonial building is itself a monument, having housed the first national congress. Rooms are arranged chronologically around a central courtyard.