Church of San Francisco, Castro
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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Location | Castro, Chiloé Island, Chiloé Province, Los Lagos Region, Chile |
Part of | Churches of Chiloé |
Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii) |
Reference | 971-003 |
Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
Area | 0.6727 ha (1.662 acres) |
Coordinates | 42°28′53″S 73°45′50″W / 42.48139°S 73.76389°W |
The Church of San Francisco (Spanish, Iglesia de San Francisco), located on one side of the Plaza de Armas of
The church was declared a
History
Castro is Chile's third oldest city in continued existence.
The church's construction was overseen by the priest Fray Ángel Custodio Subiabre Oyarzún, in charge of the church from 1910 to 1912.
Architecture
The church’s design is the work of Italian architect Eduardo Provasoli, and rather than the typical style of the other churches of Chiloé, the Church of San Francisco's style is Neo-Gothic.[4] The church was built by carpenters from Chiloé under supervision from Salvador Sierpe.
In the structures, the carpenters used wood from the area such as the alerce, cypress, coigüe and other native wood. The interiors are made of Rauli Beech and olivillo; however the facade, roof and exterior lining are sheets of galvanized iron.[5]
Inside the church is an image of the Archangel Michael victorious over Satan, an image of Saint Alberto Hurtado and a replica of the image of Jesus found in the Church of Caguach in Quinchao, Chiloé.
Its facade is often painted with bright colours, making it a highlight of Castro’s Plaza de Armas.[6]
Gallery
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Church interior.
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Altar of Archangel Michael.
References
- ^ Diócesis de San Carlos de Ancud. Iglesia.cl. In Spanish. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- ^ World Heritage Committee Inscribes 61 New Sites on World Heritage List. whc.unesco.org. November 30, 2000. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- ISBN 956-309-024-1
- ^ Lorenzo Berg Costa. Restauración en Chiloé (Chile):la Iglesia de Castro Apuntes vol.20, núm 1:126-141 (in Spanish). p.133. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- ^ Lorenzo Berg Costa. Restauración en Chiloé (Chile):la Iglesia de Castro Apuntes vol.20, núm 1:126-141 (in Spanish). p.133. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- ^ Catedral de Castro es pintada con particulares colores en su fachadas. Biobiochile.cl (in Spanish). 27 November 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2013.