MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK embassy in Chile launches month of activities to commemorate Magna Carta 800th anniversary

Over four hundred people visited the Residence of the British Ambassador on Sunday 31 May, during the celebration of Chile's National Heritage Day.

The British embassy in Santiago participated in Chile's annual National Heritage Day, enabling hundreds to visit the official Residence and at the same time launched a month of activities to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta on 15 June 1215.

 Over four hundred people visited the Residence of the British Ambassador on Sunday 31 May, during the celebration of National Heritage Day. The British Embassy has participated in the event for several years, enabling hundreds of people to visit the Residence.

Tourism students from IP Los Leones educational institution offered guided tours of the Residence’s ground floor and the garden.

Built in 1938 in the traditional El Golf area of Santiago de Chile, the Residence is one of the few original mansions left in the neighborhood and is recognized as a building of historical value under municipal regulations. Its gardens were designed by landscaper Oscar Praeger.

The British Embassy bought the house in 1966 as home for the Head of Mission, making it the main venue for official activities organized at post.

On this Heritage Day, the diplomatic mission also launched a month of activities to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta on 15 June 1215.

The public had access to essays on the subject by students from The Grange School. The Magna Carta has been considered the cornerstone of British democracy and some believe it has also influenced the foundations of Chilean law.