#casadepabloneruda

Emerging from the green hillside in the colorful barrio of Bellavista, is the most lovely house I have ever encountered: the home of Pablo Neruda, noble prize poet, controversial politician, lover of many and friend of the famous. He designed the house to be like a ship, with small rooms sprucing the hillside and mortared by stone paths and stairways. Poetically, he wanted this ship-like house because of his love for the sea, so that even when he was living in the city, it would be only an ocean for his home. The rooms were filled with secret passageways, tasteful antiques and then-new/now-vintage furniture as well as quirky art and refined craftsmanship. Diego Riviera was one of his best friends and painted a picture of Pablos two-faced lover and friend with a secret profile hidden in the image (below). Enchanted, I walked through the rooms and paths, imagining the intellectual parties he hosted with activists, artists and the like. Sadly, this home and his two others were sacked during the dictatorship and much was destroyed including his irreplaceable book collection. However, the buildings were restored and even a small cafe was added. I hope to return to the neighborhood soon.