Los Dominicos Artisans Village

Santiago is a beautiful place with so much to see and do and eat! One Saturday in January Darryl told me he was going to take me on a adventure. 

I thought we were going for a drive, but instead we boarded the bus and then took the Metro to the Los Dominicos area in Las Condes. (a section of Santiago)

We went to La Iglesia San Vicente Ferrer, or, as the locals call it, Los Dominicos Church or Church of the Dominicans. It was built in 1809 by the Dominican Order of Monks along with their attached Monastery. 

In 1983 the church was declared a National Monument.

Behind and beside the church, in what was once the monastery, is an artisans village.

 In the near 200 stores can be found all kinds of traditional goods, including leather work, wood craft, sculptures, paintings, copper cookware, fine jewelry, pets, flowers, medicinal herbs, Chilean plants (as well as some foreign plants such as bonsai's), ...

 and also some traditional foods such as typical Chilean Empanadas and Pastel de Choclo. (Baked corn cake)

Darryl and I enjoyed a couple of wonderful empanadas at this little cafe.

There were also a couple of full service restaurants as we were leaving the village. Everyone says the food is delicious.

So many beautiful hidden treasures in this place. If you ever find yourself in Santiago be sure to visit this wonderful Artisans Village and hidden gem of Los Dominicos.