Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago
# Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago

The Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago (English: Royal Court Palace or Palace of the Boxes) is a building located in the north central village of the Plaza de Armas in Santiago, Chile. The building dates back to 1808 and houses, since 1982, the National History Museum of Chile.

The building was built between 1804 and 1807 to serve as the home for the royal courts of justice. It was the work of Juan Goycolea, a pupil and disciple of the Italian-born Joaquin Toesca who had designed the nearby La Moneda Palace and the east facade of the Cathedral during the last two decades of the 18th century. The courts were there for two years until Chile's first government junta, in 1810, assembled to replace the Spanish governor. Eight years later the Chilean Declaration of Independence was solidified and the building served as the first meeting place for the new congress. It served as the seat of government until 1846, until President Manuel Bulnes moved to La Moneda Palace.

## Chilean National History Museum

The Chilean National History Museum (Spanish: Museo Histórico Nacional or MHN) is located in the Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago in Santiago, Chile in Plaza de Armas. The institution was founded on May 2, 1911, and consists of the former palace's old rooms used as exhibition spaces. The collection consists of everyday life objects from Chile such as women's clothing, sewing machines, furniture, and other decorative and functional pieces.

