The story of the Magallanes region comes to life at the Museo Regional Braun-Menéndez (aka Museo de Magallanes). Browse displays of archaeological discoveries, the tools of nomadic hunters, photographs and important works of art. Peek inside the well-preserved rooms such as opulently decorated bedrooms and servant’s quarters.
The Museum Regional Braun-Menéndez is set inside an early 20th-century palace built for the influential shipping magnate Mauricio Braun. Its grandiose neoclassical façade, stylish furniture and pristine wooden floors are a testament to the affluence of the Braun family. Many of the rooms are representative of the time when the family lived here. Note the eclectic design and fashion taste, which includes objects from Africa, Asia, England and France.
Find exhibits that date back some 20,000 years when the first hunter-gatherers crossed the Bering Strait and traveled into the unknown wilderness of the American Continent. Learn about the Paleoindians that inhabited Patagonia and see models of the canoes, containers and tools typical of their nomadic lifestyle. See replicated relics of extinct animals such as the mylodon sloth, saber-tooth tiger and short-faced bear. In another display are examples of leaf fossils, petrified wood and seashells.
Over 150 drawings, engravings and paintings make up the art collection, a selection of which is on permanent display. Portraits of the Braun family adorn the walls of bedrooms and reception halls. Scan through a computer archive of photographs that provide a snapshot of social life in Magallanes.
It’s just a short walk to the museum from Punta Arenas’ central square Plaza Muñoz Gamero. Public transport options are limited in the city so take a taxi if you arriving from further away. Some nearby attractions are the Cathedral of Punta Arenas, Palacio Sara Braun and Santuario Maria Auxiliadora.
The Museo Regional Braun-Menédez is open from Wednesday to Monday and admission is free. Opening hours are shorter between May and September. An audio guide in English can be downloaded to a smartphone or tablet via the museum’s official website.
