Former torture center becomes shelter

Published June 18, 2013
a picture of Victor Jara hangs on an indoor stadium named for the folk singer, Estadio Victor Jara, that opens its doors to the homeless during the winter in Santiago, Chile. Just days after Chile's bloody 1973 military coup, Victor Jara was dragged down to the basement of this indoor stadium that had been turned into a detention and torture center. Four decades later, eight former army officers have been charged with his murder. And the infamous Estadio Chile has been renamed Estadio Victor Jara and is now Chile's
a picture of Victor Jara hangs on an indoor stadium named for the folk singer, Estadio Victor Jara, that opens its doors to the homeless during the winter in Santiago, Chile. Just days after Chile's bloody 1973 military coup, Victor Jara was dragged down to the basement of this indoor stadium that had been turned into a detention and torture center. Four decades later, eight former army officers have been charged with his murder. And the infamous Estadio Chile has been renamed Estadio Victor Jara and is now Chile's
People eat a hot dinner at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
People eat a hot dinner at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
Jonathan Fuentes hugs his girlfriend Vivian Alvarez as they wait for the shelter to open for the evening at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara
Jonathan Fuentes hugs his girlfriend Vivian Alvarez as they wait for the shelter to open for the evening at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara
Armando Patricio Galleguillos Luna, 63, lies on a mattress in the designated area for people who have been using a substance, before they can access the rest of the shelter at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara in Santiago, Chile.
Armando Patricio Galleguillos Luna, 63, lies on a mattress in the designated area for people who have been using a substance, before they can access the rest of the shelter at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara in Santiago, Chile.
The locker room where Chilean folk singer Victor Jara was tortured and killed remains in its original state.
The locker room where Chilean folk singer Victor Jara was tortured and killed remains in its original state.
Students play ping-pong at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
Students play ping-pong at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
Soldiers guard the entrance of a homeless shelter at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
Soldiers guard the entrance of a homeless shelter at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
A door leads to the locker room where Chilean folk singer Victor Jara was tortured and killed.
A door leads to the locker room where Chilean folk singer Victor Jara was tortured and killed.
A young soldier with the last name of Jara stands guard at the entrance of the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara moments before it opens.
A young soldier with the last name of Jara stands guard at the entrance of the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara moments before it opens.
Beds line a hallway in the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
Beds line a hallway in the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
Men relax on their bunk beds inside the heated shelter at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
Men relax on their bunk beds inside the heated shelter at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
A woman opens her bag for soldiers to search through before entering a homeless shelter at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.
A woman opens her bag for soldiers to search through before entering a homeless shelter at the indoor stadium Estadio Victor Jara.

Chile's infamous Chile Stadium, now renamed Victor Jara Stadium, has become the nation's largest homeless shelter, housing about 500 people a night during the biting winter.

The stadium is named after popular songwriter and theater director Victor Jara who shot to death in the basement days after Chile's bloody 1973 military coup.

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