Overview:

Church of San Francisco - Santiago in Chile is a stunning historic building located in the heart of the Chilean Capital City of Santiago. It is considered a national landmark and is the most important religious building in the city. Construction of the Church began in the 17th century and was completed in 1786. It is characterized by its vibrant façade which is adorned with carvings, sculptures and frescoes and its stunning interior which is filled with art and décor. The Church is also home to an impressive library, archives and a museum of religious artwork. The Church of San Francisco is also an important pilgrimage site for many Catholics from both Chile and around the world. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Chile
Prominent Features:

The Church of San Francisco is a prominent church in Santiago, Chile. It was originally constructed in 1586 as part of a monastery and later became a church in 1610. It is an example of a colonial Baroque/Churrigueresque church, with the typical Chili baroque facade, high bell tower, and a beautiful atrium. The inside of the church is equally as impressive, with a main altar that was made of 16 different types of wood, three altars built in the 18th century, and several interesting paintings from pre-Columbian times to the early 1900s. The Church of San Francisco is a great example of the religious and cultural heritage of Santiago, and one of the city's best-known landmarks. This national monument of Chile portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Church of San Francisco is the oldest church in Santiago, Chile and one of the most important baroque-style religious buildings in Latin America. The church was founded in 1586 by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. The construction of the church continued until the 19th century and it was initially dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. The original structure was destroyed by a huge earthquake in 1647. Despite multiple restorations over the years, only silence remains from the original cross. In 1657, the Franciscans began work on a new building at the original site. This building was destroyed in an earthquake in 1730, and the baroque structure that stands today was erected by the same order. The original structure was modified to add more ornate decorative elements. In 1788, a Franciscan convent began to be built adjacent to the church. This became the home of the Franciscans who took care of the church until it was officially declared a national monument in 1950. Throughout the 19th century, the Church of San Francisco was one of Santiago’s main churches and an important center of Catholic worship. The church became the main point of reference for the Catholic faith in the city. In the early 20th century, a number of additional buildings were added to the complex, including a library, a museum, and a boarding school for girls. Today, the Church of San Francisco stands as a magnificent reminder of the vital role that religion played in the founding of Santiago. The church’s impressive façade still displays its baroque style, and it remains a site of worship and reflection for the city’s faithful. You must visit one of these historical places in Chile on your Chile tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Church of San Francisco is one of the most important colonial structures in Chile. Built between 1622 and 1668, it is today a National Monument and the pride of the city of Santiago. 2. Currently, the Church of San Francisco functions as a museum and houses the Museum of Religious Art, which not only celebrates the importance of Christianity in Chilean culture, but also showcases the amazing baroque and neoclassical art from the region. 3. San Francisco Church was designed by the Italian Jesuit father-architect Giulio Torrigiani, who was the architect of Santiago's iconic La Moneda Palace. 4. The Church of San Francisco is historically significant not only because of its architecture, but also because within its walls the Chile’s first Declaration of Independence from Spain was signed in 1818. 5. Inside the Church of San Francisco you can find the remains of some of the earliest inhabitants of Santiago, including Caral, a mega-site of what is considered as the oldest civilization in the Americas from around 3,000 BC. 6. The Church of San Francisco is also known for its vast collection of nearly 600 paintings, sculptures and decorations, and its hallowed cemetery which is replete with the graves of some of Chile’s most illustrious citizens. Visit one of the famous monuments of Chile with your friends and family.