Blue sky of Noon Gun cannon, summit Cerro Santa Lucia, looking out on the buildings and skyscrapers of Centro, Santiago, Chile

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Cerro Santa Lucia (Santa Lucia Hill), a defensive site 629 metres above sea-level, was the place where Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, sent south from Peru to conquer new lands for the Spanish Crown, founded the city of Santiago in 1541. Valdivia climbed the hill on the feast-day of Santa Lucia (13 December 1541), hence the name. During the Chilean Independence in 1818, forces loyal to the Spanish Crown defended the northern side of the hill with Fort Hidalgo. In 1872 Vicuna Mackenna, Mayor of Santiago, landscaped the hill with the parks and gardens of today. The Noon Gun cannon, seen here, and continuing a tradition started in 1825, has brought complaints of noise pollution.

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Size: 4003px × 2658px
Location: Noon Gun cannon, summit Cerro Santa Lucia, Centro, Santiago, Chile, South America
Photo credit: © robert harrison / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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