History Museums

What people are saying

Oct 2022

This is close to downtown and easy to walk to. The family home was only occupied for a few years, but was exquisitely designed and furnished. When you arrive (enter at back, not street) you will be given a written English tour guide which highlights the family heirlooms and explains how a second museum was merged into it a few years ago. There is NO admission fee! Many interesting details so take your time and enjoy!

“Old mansion converted in an open museum”

Feb 2020

This is a great little museum showcasing on one side the house itself, and on the other side the original inhabitants and the history of the town and the Noruega, Braun and Menendez start and production and sheep empire. The house was build by this clan, which through intermarriage combined the 3 wealthiest families of the region. The house was build with materials from Europe, and must have as such cost a fortune. The house is not that large. It is in pretty good state of repair, has nice stained glass ceilings and some extravagantly decorated rooms. Also part of the cellar, or servants quarter are open. The other part gives a good overview of the founding of Punta Arenas and it being a prisoners colony. It also gives a good overview on a touch screen about the 5 tribes that originally inhabited this area as well as Tuera de Fuego nearby. On display are some of the artefacts that remain from these tribes that were completely wiped out on the Chilean side (and very nearly completely on the Argentinian side). In the current there is a nice garden, they were renovating part of the outside of the mansion.

Suggest edits to improve what we show.

Improve this listing

Tours & experiences

Explore different ways to experience this place.

Full view

Top ways to experience Museo Regional De Magallanes and nearby attractions

The area

Address

Reach out directly

Best nearby

Restaurants

231 within 5 kms

La Cuisine

949

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • French • Vegetarian friendly • Vegan options

Kiosko Roca Punta Arenas

1,817

0.2 km$ • Fast food • Chilean

Taberna Club De La Union

495

0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pub • Chilean

Wake Up - Coffee & Brunch

311

0.3 km$ • Cafe • International • Vegetarian friendly

Reciclando Sabores

95

0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Gastropub • Chilean • Vegetarian friendly

La Marmita

1,493

0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Chilean • Dining bars • Beer restaurants

Tapiz

720

0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Healthy • Chilean

Hotel Savoy Restaurant

462

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Chilean • Vegetarian friendly

La Chocolatta

1,154

0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Dessert • German • Swiss

Mesita Grande - Punta Arenas

1,051

0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian friendly

See all

Attractions

52 within 10 kms

Plaza Muñoz Gamero

668

0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Palacio Sara Braun

496

0.1 kmSpeciality Museums

Memorial to Ferdinand Magellan

216

0.1 kmMonuments & Statues

Teatro Municipal

28

96 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks

0.2 kmMountains • National Parks

Plaza Armas Punta Arenas

158

0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Museo Naval y Maritimo

89

0.2 kmMilitary Museums

0.4 kmPublic Transportation Systems

See all

Contribute

Write a review Upload a photo

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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

446 reviews

Excellent

248

Very good

153

Average

36

Poor

6

Terrible

3

Peter G

Kihei, HI640 contributions

A limited museum if you can’t read Spanish

Feb 2020

There are two components to this museum: part of a grand mansion with period furnishings and the collection of the regional museum. The museum exhibits are labeled only in Spanish; an English guide was provided but it correlated so loosely with the exhibits that I found it to be of limited value. Hours are limited but admission is free. I doubt that you’ll need an hour to send everything,

Written February 10, 2020

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.

vcandler

New Orleans, LA1 contribution

Disappointing white washing of history

Feb 2018 • Family

This museum has some information about the indigenous people in this area, however, it does not mention that the Menendez-Braun family (formerly lived in the house) was directly involved in the genocide of the Selk'nam people at the end of the 19th century. My family and I find this oversight shocking and despicable.

Written April 21, 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.

Kairho1

Gainesville, FL1,017 contributions

Needs Polishing

Feb 2014 • Couples

This classic nineteenth century mansion is generally well furnished with original artifacts and has the potential to be quite interesting, worthy of a bit more than an hour.

However, for English-only speakers it fails because there is precious little English descriptive material, including in the handouts. The worst problem is there is no signage telling one how to access the lower level (out the back door, down stairs, and in another unmarked door) and if it weren't for the disjointed commentary in the handout we would have left having missed half of the museum.

Also, carry on items are not permitted inside and must be left in the foyer, hoping that the guard/admissions officer will safekeep everything.

Written March 13, 2014

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.

Barheat

Hamilton, Canada1,746 contributions

Braun-Menendez Mansion

Mar 2018 • Couples

This free museum is located in a former mansion. You can view the opulent lifestyle of the Menendez family from a century ago. It is very reminiscent of the mansions in Newport, USA. There is an interesting collection of furniture and paintings on the main floor. When you enter you are required to put on booties to keep the carpets clean.

Written May 7, 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.

Marcus D

Atlanta634 contributions

“No entrance fee but wear the booties.”

Feb 2018 • Couples

. This opulent home celebrates the marriage of two wealthiest families in Punta. Enjoy the ceilings and floors, the variety of French art nouveau period pieces, and try to overlook the cracked and peeling wallpaper. Going out the back door, explore the basement servant quarters. Hint----clean bathrooms in the basement.

Written March 15, 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.

Dickd1946

Charleston, SC1,220 contributions

Historical and Cultural

Jan 2014 • Couples

Architecture of an era gone by is witnessed in the colonial building set in the heart of the older area of Punta Arenas. With much of the trappings having to be imported from the "Olde World" you can feel the charm this home once had.

Artifacts, drawings, pictures of the history and the native inhabitants of the area are also on display to allow you to see the evolution here.

Written September 25, 2014

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.

dkayrenick

Ventura, CA703 contributions

Step into the past

Mar 2014 • Couples

This mansion has all the original furnishings, and is a fascinating glimpse into the wealthy life of Punta Arenas. Definitely worth a visit. Make sure you have local currency to pay the modest entry fee.

Written April 27, 2014

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.

elsiek

London850 contributions

Great step into the past

Mar 2013 • Couples

Just loved the part of the house that was a perfect reproduction of the time when the Braun - Menendez family lived there. Always amazing to see how the billionaires of times gone by got to spend their money. Particularly liked the idea that the office had a door opening onto the garden so that the "riff raff" could come visit without coming in through the house! Some fantastic furniture, china, paintings and pictures to see along with rooms set out in the original format. Didn't quite get the small Native Indian exhibition located in at the back end of the house. Seemed out of place. Be ready to wear slip on covers over your shoes to protect the floors. No audio available during our visit. We had free entry on Sunday

Written March 15, 2013

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.

kcal23

New York City, NY9 contributions

Time warp experience

Apr 2018 • Couples

Nice collection of turn-of-the-20th-century furniture. Make sure to include the basement installation.

Written April 15, 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.

Nen608707

Croatia1,845 contributions

Educational and free

Nov 2017 • Couples

Someone will enter because wants to learn something more about history of these parts and someone just for the fact that the entrance is free. (I've heard people talking about it!)
For me it was very nice experience and I must admit that I was surprised with good taste and luxury in the mansion. I definitely recommend to visit Centro Cultural - you'll enjoy 1-2 hours visit and widen your views on this far and remote town and the life in it.

Written March 2, 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.

2

…

Showing results 1-10 of 100