The Churches of Chiloé in

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the eas ...

Chiloé Archipelago The Chiloé Archipelago ( es, Archipiélago de Chiloé, , ) is a group of islands lying off the coast of Chile, in the Los Lagos Region. It is separated from mainland Chile by the Chacao Channel in the north, the Sea of Chiloé in the east and t ...

are a unique architectural phenomenon in the Americas and one of the most prominent styles of Chilota architecture. Unlike classical Spanish colonial architecture, the churches of Chiloé are made entirely in native timber with extensive use of

wood shingle Wood shingles are thin, tapered pieces of wood primarily used to cover roofs and walls of buildings to protect them from the weather. Historically shingles, also known as shakes, were split from straight grained, knot free ''bolts'' of wood. To ...

s. The churches were built from materials to resist the Chiloé Archipelago's humid and rainy

oceanic climate An oceanic climate, also known as a marine climate, is the humid temperate climate sub-type in Köppen classification ''Cfb'', typical of west coasts in higher middle latitudes of continents, generally featuring cool summers and mild winters ...

. Built in the 18th and 19th centuries when

was still a part of the Spanish Crown possessions, the churches represent the fusion of Spanish

Jesuit , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...

culture and local native population's skill and traditions; an excellent example of

mestizo (; ; fem. ) is a term used for racial classification to refer to a person of mixed European and Indigenous American ancestry. In certain regions such as Latin America, it may also refer to people who are culturally European even though thei ...

culture. The Churches of Chiloé were designated

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international coope ...

World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for ...

s in 2000. The University of Chile, Fundación Cultural Iglesias de Chiloé and other institutions have led efforts to preserve these historic structures and to publicize them for their unique qualities.Berg Costa, Lorenzo (2005), ''Restauración Iglesias de Chiloé Conservando lo Infinito,'' Editorial Universitaria, p. 3,

Location

The sixteen churches registered as part of the World Heritage Site are concentrated in the central eastern zone of the archipelago. UNESCO World Heritage Churches of Chiloe

UNESCO World Heritage Churches of Chiloe

Notes

External links

World Heritage Evaluation: Churches of Chiloé
{{DEFAULTSORT:Churches of Chiloe Architecture in Chile Churches in Chiloé Archipelago Religion in Chiloé World Heritage Sites in Chile Roman Catholic churches in Chile Colonial architecture in Chile Wooden churches in Chile Mestizo art

Location

See also

Notes

External links