By kbartz34
Although Santiago is Chile's official capital, Congress convenes in the beautiful coastal town of Valparaiso. The structure of the building says a lot about democracy in Chile - from the crowd fences to control unruly spectators (yes, Congressional sessions are open to the public - and "communicating" with the floor is common practice) to the date it was built (during Pinochet's regime) to the proximity of a Catholic church (which shares the same grounds).
![The View From Outside](http://gwblogabroad.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/building.jpg?w=300)
![Purple](http://gwblogabroad.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/ceiling-purple.jpg?w=300)
![Silencio](http://gwblogabroad.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/silencio.jpg?w=300)
![Colorful People](http://gwblogabroad.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/mural.jpg?w=300)
![Church and State](http://gwblogabroad.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/church-and-capitol.jpg?w=300)