Chiloe Churches
★ 4.6🇨🇱 CastroSuggested visit 1-2 daysBest season November to March, with less rain
World HeritageReligious siteArchitecture
Wooden churches of southern Chile, built with local timber and shipwright techniques, inscribed in 2000.
Overview
On Chiloé in southern Chile, dozens of churches were built entirely from local timber between the 16th and 20th centuries. Jesuit and Franciscan missions commissioned them, local shipwrights built them using boat-building techniques, and their facades are clad in larch shingles in vivid colours — a distinctive fusion of European religious architecture and local craft. About sixteen are inscribed as World Heritage.
History
Begun with Spanish missionary activity in the 16th century, they were built out in the 18th and 19th, and sixteen were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000.
Highlights
- •The Church of San Francisco in Castro
- •The brightly painted church at Nercón
- •The churches of Dalcahue and Achao
- •Chiloé shingle craftsmanship
Practical tips
- •These are working churches — keep quiet inside
- •The island is rainy; bring waterproofs
Practical information
- Best time
- November-March
- Tickets
- Churches are free or accept donations
- Opening hours
- Roughly 9:00-18:00 (varies with services)
- Local food
- Curanto, potato milcao, oysters
- Getting around
- About 2.5 hours by ferry or bus from Puerto Montt.
- Visa
- A visa is required; holders of a valid US visa may enter Chile visa-free.
Traveller reviews
…