Plaza Sotomayor is the naval heart of the city, dominated by the impressive blue-colored palatial Edificio de la Comandancia Naval (Naval Command Building). In the middle of the square lies the Monumento a los Héroes de Iquique, a subterranean mausoleum paying tribute to Chile's naval martyrs. The Aduana Nacional (Customs House) and Estación Puerto, the terminal for Merval commuter trains, are also nearby. Muelle Prat, the pier at the foot of Plaza Sotomayor, is a lively place on weekends. It has a helpful tourist kiosk and a tacky handicrafts market, the Feria de Artesanía. Small boats offer tours of the harbor.
Navy Building (Armada de Chile) is the National Headquarters of the Chilean Navy. The building was originally the office of the Regional Governor but during the Pinochet Dictatorship it was decided to make it into the Navy’s H.O. It is located in beautiful and historic Plaza Sotomayor behind the war memorial and burial place of Arthuro Pratt, one of the "fathers of the nation." It is a great place for a photo with the Marine Guards in front of the building.
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